Arm structure, hinge structure including the arm structure, and electronic device including the same

ABSTRACT

An arm structure of an electronic device is provided. The arm structure includes an arm body, a first cam disposed on one side of the arm body and including a first hole into which at least a portion of a rotating shaft providing a folding operation of the electronic device is inserted, a peak and a valley being formed around the first hole, a second cam arranged side-by-side on a same axis as the one side of the arm body, spaced apart from the first cam, and including a second hole into which at least a portion of the rotating shaft is inserted, a peak and a valley being formed around the second hole, and a connecting part disposed on another side of the arm body and fastened with a rotating part providing rotation of the electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior ApplicationNumber 17/323,434, filed on based on May 18, 2021, which is based on andclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean Patent ApplicationNumber 10-2020-0063724, filed on May 27, 2020, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, of a Korean Patent Application Number10-2020-0095315, filed on Jul. 30, 2020, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, and of a Korean Patent Application Number10-2020-0114513, filed on Sep. 8, 2020, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to an electronic device including a structure ofan arm and a structure of a hinge. More specifically, the disclosurerelates to a structure of an arm and a structure of a hinge capable ofproviding a detent load of a specified size such that a foldingoperation or a folded state of a foldable electronic device remainsstable.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable electronic devices such as smartphones may provide variousfunctions, such as a call, a video playback, and an internet search,based on various types of applications. Users may want to use theabove-mentioned various functions through a wider screen. However, thelarger the screen, the lower the portability may be. Accordingly,foldable portable electronic devices with enhanced portability byutilizing a foldable structure have been developed.

In the foldable electronic device, a hinge structure may be disposed tobe connected with adjacent housings and rotate to support the housingswhile the housings are rotating at a predetermined angle.

The foldable electronic device may include a display in which at least aportion is folded. The display is formed to have a predeterminedthickness or less so that it is foldable, and thus, the strength of thedisplay may be weakened, and stabbing may occur due to external pressureor impact. To solve the problem, a display with increased rigidity orreaction force (e.g., increase in the thickness of the display) may beapplied. When the display thickness increases, the repulsive force inthe folded state (for example, the restoring force generated to returnto the unfolded state) increases, which may lead to defects in thefolding operation of the display (for example, the display may not becompletely folded).

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages, and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to providean arm structure and a hinge structure capable of providing a detentload (or hinge force, or force for maintaining a specific state of anelectronic device) of a specified size such that a folding operation ora folded state of a foldable electronic device remains stable, and anelectronic device including the same.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide an arm structure and ahinge structure capable of providing a detent load of a specified sizewithout increasing the size (e.g., thickness) of the electronic deviceor while suppressing an increase in size (e.g., thickness), and anelectronic device including the same.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device (orportable electronic device, portable communication device, foldableelectronic device, foldable electronic device having a communicationfunction, or the like) is provided. The electronic device includes ahousing including a first housing and a second housing, a hingestructure accommodated in the housing and connected to the first housingand the second housing, and a flexible display disposed over the firsthousing, the hinge structure, and the second housing. The hingestructure includes a first rotating shaft rotating about a first axis, asecond rotating shaft rotating about a second axis, a first arm partincluding a first cam structure and a second cam structure connected tothe first rotating shaft, a second arm part including a third camstructure and a fourth cam structure connected to the second rotatingshaft, a first rotating part connected to the first arm part androtating about a third axis, a second rotating part connected to thesecond arm part and rotating about a fourth axis, a first cam memberincluding a first cam engaged with the first cam structure and a secondcam engaged with the third cam structure, a second cam member includinga third cam engaged with the second cam structure and a fourth camengaged with the fourth cam structure, a first elastic body connected tothe first rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to the first cam, asecond elastic body connected to the second rotating shaft to provide anelastic force to the second cam, a third elastic body connected to thefirst rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to the third cam, and afourth elastic body connected to the second rotating shaft to provide anelastic force to the fourth cam.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a hinge structureused for a foldable electronic device is provided. The hinge structureincludes a first rotating part connected to a first housing of thefoldable electronic device and rotating within a predetermined angularrange, a second rotating part connected to a second housing of thefoldable electronic device and rotating with rotation of the firstrotating part, a first arm part connected to the first rotating part andincluding a first cam structure and a second cam structure spaced apartfrom each other by a predetermined interval, a second arm part connectedto the second rotating part and including a third cam structure and afourth cam structure spaced apart from each other by a predeterminedinterval, a first rotating shaft rotating about a first axis with atleast a portion thereof being inserted into the first cam structure andthe second cam structure, a second rotating shaft rotating about asecond axis with at least a portion thereof being inserted into thethird cam structure and the fourth cam structure, a first cam member puton the first rotating shaft and including a first cam engaged with thefirst cam structure and a second cam engaged with the third camstructure, a second cam member put on the second rotating shaft andincluding a third cam engaged with the second cam structure and a fourthcam engaged with the fourth cam structure, a first elastic bodyconnected to the first rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to thefirst cam, a second elastic body connected to the second rotating shaftto provide an elastic force to the second cam, a third elastic bodyconnected to the first rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to thethird cam, and a fourth elastic body connected to the second rotatingshaft to provide an elastic force to the fourth cam, in which the firstrotating part may rotate about a third axis and the second rotating partmay rotate about a fourth axis.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an arm structureused for a foldable electronic device is provided. The arm structureincludes an arm body, a first cam disposed on one side of the arm bodyand including a first hole into which at least a portion of a rotatingshaft used for a folding operation of the foldable electronic device isinserted, a peak and a valley being formed around the first hole, asecond cam arranged side-by-side on the same axis as the one side of thearm body, spaced apart from the first cam, and including a second holeinto which at least a portion of the rotating shaft is inserted, a peakand a valley being formed around the second hole, and a connecting partdisposed on the other side of the arm body and fastened with a rotatingpart used for rotation of the foldable electronic device.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear surface of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating an example of a folded state of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front surface and arear surface of a hinge structure of an electronic device related to aplurality of detent structures according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a surface in a first direction in anexploded perspective view of a hinge structure according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a surface in a second direction in anexploded perspective view of a hinge structure according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotating part accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fixing bracketaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arm part according toan embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second rotating shaftaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of astopper according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a center bracketaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shaft bracketaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cam member accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of support rings accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a first state of some components of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a first angular state of a partialstructure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a second angular state of a firsthinge structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a second state of some parts of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of another type of a thirdhinge structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view in a first direction illustrating anexample of a coupled state of a third cam member, a fifth cam structure,and a sixth cam structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view in a second direction illustrating anexample of a coupled state of the third cam member, the fifth camstructure, and the sixth cam structure according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating coupled states of the fifth camstructure and a first rotating shaft, and the sixth cam structure and asecond rotating shaft according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fourth hinge structureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating in more detail a fourth cam member anda fifth cam member illustrated in FIG. 22 according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a point of time of cam motion of thefourth cam member and the fifth cam member according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fifth hinge structureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sixth hinge structureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 27A is a diagram illustrating another example of a cam shapeaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 27B is a diagram illustrating an example of a contact state of somepeaks of a cam and a cam structure according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used to enable aclear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the followingdescription of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided forillustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting thedisclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

As used here, terms and phrases such as “have,” “may have,” “include,”or “may include” indicates the existence of features (e.g., numbers,functions, actions, or parts such as components), and do not exclude theexistence of additional features.

As used here, the phrases “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or“one or more of A or/and B” may include all possible combinations of theitems listed together. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,”or “at least one of A or B” may indicate all of (1) including at leastone A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including both at least oneA and at least one B.

As used here, the terms such as “first,” “second,” “the first,” or “thesecond” may modify various components, regardless of order and/orimportance, and are used to distinguish one component from another, butdoes not limit the components. For example, the first user device andthe second user device may indicate different user devices regardless oforder or importance. For example, without departing from the teachingsdisclosed in the disclosure, a first element could be termed a secondelement, and similarly, in reverse, a second element could be termed afirst element.

When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being“(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to”another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understoodthat any of the above components may be directly connected to anothercomponent, or may be connected via another component (e.g., a thirdcomponent). In contrast, when a certain component (e.g., the firstcomponent) is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directlyconnected” to another component (e.g., the second component), it is tobe understood that no other component (e.g., the third component)intervenes between the certain component and the other component.

As used here, the phrase “configured to (or set to),” may beinterchangeably used with, for example, “suitable for,” “having thecapacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of,”depending on the circumstances. The phase “configured (or set) to” maynot necessarily mean only “specifically designed to” in hardware. Insome circumstances, the phrase “device configured to” may mean that thedevice “can” perform an operation with other devices or parts. Forexample, the phrase “processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, andC” may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., embedded processor) forperforming corresponding operations, or a generic-purpose processor(e.g., CPU or application processor) that performs the operations byexecuting one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

The terms and phrases as used here are merely provided to describespecific embodiments, and may not be intended to limit the scope ofother embodiments. A singular form is intended to include a plural form,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms, includingtechnical or scientific terms, as used here, may have the same meaningas commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which theembodiments of the disclosure belong. Terms such as those defined incommonly-used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined here. In some cases, even terms defined herecannot be interpreted to exclude embodiments of the disclosure.

Examples of an electronic device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, a tablet personalcomputer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, adesktop PC, a laptop personal computer, a netbook computer, aworkstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), an moving picture experts group (MPEG-1 orMPEG-2) audio layer 3 (MP3) player, a mobile medical device, a camera,or a wearable device. According to various embodiments, the wearabledevice may include at least one of an accessory-type device (e.g.,watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses,or head-mounted devices (HMD), a textiles or clothing integrated-typedevice (e.g., electronic clothing), a body attachment-type device (e.g.,skin pads or tattoo), or a bio-implantable-type device (implantablecircuits).

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments willbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedisclosure, the term user may refer to a person using an electronicdevice or a device using the electronic device (e.g., an artificialintelligence electronic device).

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear surface of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating an example of a folded state of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, an electronic device 100 (or a foldableelectronic device, a flexible display device, a flexible & foldableelectronic device, or the like) according to an embodiment of thedisclosure may include a housing 101 (e.g., a first housing 110 and asecond housing 120), a hinge housing 150, a hinge structure 200 (e.g., afirst hinge structure 200 a and a second hinge structure 200 b), and adisplay 160 (or a flexible display, a display module, or the like) atleast partially disposed in a front direction (e.g., z-axis direction)of the hinge structure 200. Additionally or alternatively, theelectronic device 100 may include a first cover 119 that at leastpartially covers a rear surface (e.g., a surface facing in a -z-axisdirection) of the first housing 110, and a second cover 129 that atleast partially covers a rear surface (e.g., a surface facing in the-z-axis direction) of the second housing 120. Alternatively, the firstcover 119 may be integrally formed with the first housing 110 to formthe rear surface, and the second cover 129 may be integrally formed withthe second housing 120 to form the rear surface.

The housing 101 may be comprised of at least one pair capable ofrotating about a predetermined axis. For example, the housing 101 mayinclude a first housing 110 and a second housing 120. Depending on thearrangement shape, the first housing 110 may be arranged to becontinuous with the second housing 120 (e.g., when a center portion 163of the display 160 is flattened or when the housing 101 is in anunfolded state), or may be arranged to be side-by-side with the secondhousing 120. Alternatively, when the center portion 163 of the display160 is folded, one surface of the first housing 110 may be arranged toface one surface of the second housing 120.

The first housing 110 may be, for example, formed, at least partially,of a metal material, or may be formed, at least partially, of anon-metal material. The first housing 110 may be formed of a materialhaving a certain size of rigidity so as to support at least a portion ofthe display 160. On at least a portion of the front surface of the firsthousing 110, one region of the display 160 (e.g., at least a portion ofa first portion 161 of the display 160 and at least a portion of oneside of the center portion 163) may be disposed. At least a portion ofthe first housing 110 may be adhered to the first portion 161 of thedisplay 160. Alternatively, at least a portion of the front edge of thefirst housing 110 may be adhered to the edge of the first portion 161 ofthe display 160. Alternatively, at least a portion of the front surface(surface in the z-axis direction) of the first housing 110 may be atleast partially adhered to the first portion 161 of the display 160. Inthis regard, an adhesive layer may be disposed at least partiallybetween the first housing 110 and the first portion 161 of the display160. The first housing 110 is provided at least partially in a hollowshape, or is provided such that an empty space is formed by beingcoupled with the first cover 119, where electronic elements required fordriving the electronic device 100 (e.g., a printed circuit board, atleast one processor mounted on the printed circuit board, at least onememory, and an element such as a battery) may be disposed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, edges of the firsthousing 110 (e.g., the three edges except for the remaining edge facingthe second housing 120 when the electronic device 100 is in the unfoldedstate) may protrude at a predetermined height from the bottom surface ofthe center portion of the housing to surround at least one side edge ofthe display 160. Alternatively, on at least one of the edges of thefirst housing 110, sidewalls facing at least a portion of the edge ofthe display 160 may be disposed. The sidewalls formed at least partiallyon edges of the first housing 110 may be formed to have a specifiedheight at the three edges except for the remaining edge facing thesecond housing 120. The edge of the first housing 110 facing the secondhousing 120 may include a depressed portion of which at least a portionhas a certain curvature such that at least a portion of the hingehousing 150 may be disposed. For example, on the edge facing the secondhousing 120, the first housing 110 may include a first step 111 in whicha portion of the first hinge structure 200 a positioned in the hingehousing 150 is positioned and a second step 112 in which a portion ofthe second hinge structure 200 b positioned in the hinge housing 150 isdisposed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, depending on thearrangement, the second housing 120 may be arranged side-by-side withthe first housing 110, or at least one surface of the second housing 120may be arranged to face one surface of the first housing 110 (e.g., thesurface on which the display 160 is disposed). For example, the secondhousing 120 may be made of the same material as the first housing 110.As the second housing 120 and the first housing 110 are arranged to behorizontally or vertically symmetrical in shape, the second housing 120may be disposed such that its front surface supports at least a portionof the region (e.g., at least a portion of a second portion 162 of thedisplay 160 and at least a portion of the other part of the centerportion 163) other than the region disposed on the first housing 110 inthe display 160. At least a portion of the second housing 120 may beadhered to the second portion 162 of the display 160. Alternatively, thefront edge of the second housing 120 may be adhered to the edge of thesecond portion 162 of the display 160. Alternatively, the lower side ofthe front surface of the second housing 120 may be adhered to one sideof the second portion 162 of the display 160. In this regard, anadhesive layer may be disposed at least in part between the secondhousing 120 and the second portion 162 of the display 160. The secondhousing 120 may be provided at least partially in a hollow shape similarto the first housing 110, or may be provided such that an empty space isformed by being coupled with the second cover 129, where electronicelements required for driving the electronic device 100 may be disposed.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a camera 190 may bedisposed on the rear surface of the second housing 120, and inconnection with the disposition of the camera 190, a hole may be formedin the second cover 129, where the camera 190 may be disposed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, edges of the secondhousing 120 (e.g., the three edges except for the remaining edge facingthe first housing 110) may protrude at a predetermined height from thebottom surface of the center portion of the second housing 120 tosurround the other side edge of the display 160. Alternatively, on atleast one of the edges of the second housing 120, sidewalls facing atleast a portion of the edge of the display 160 may be disposed, whichare similar to the sidewalls formed on the first housing 110. Thesidewalls formed at least partially on edges of the second housing 120may be formed to have a specified height at the three edges except forthe remaining edge facing the first housing 110.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the portion of thesecond housing 120 facing the first housing 110 may include a depressedportion of which at least a portion has a certain curvature such thatthe hinge housing 150 may be disposed. For example, the second housing120 may include a third step 121 in which a portion of the hinge housing150 having the first hinge structure 200 a mounted on the edge facingthe first housing 110 is disposed, and a fourth step 122 in which aportion of the hinge housing 150 having the second hinge structure 200 bmounted thereon is disposed.

According to various embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device100 may include at least one sensor disposed inside the first housing110 or the second housing 120. The sensor may include, for example, atleast one of a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an iris sensor,an image sensor (or camera), or a fingerprint sensor.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, depending on thefolded or unfolded state of the electronic device 100, the hinge housing150 may be covered by one of the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 (e.g., the unfolded state of the housing 101), or may beexposed to the outside (e.g., the folded state of the housing 101). Forexample, if the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 arearranged side-by-side, the hinge housing 150 may be covered by the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120. If one surface of the firsthousing 110 and one surface of the second housing 120 are arranged toface each other, the hinge housing 150 may be disposed such that atleast a portion thereof is exposed to the outside at side edges of thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120 (e.g., the edges of thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120 facing each other in theunfolded state). The hinge housing 150 may be at least partially emptyinside, and a sidewall may be disposed such that at least some of bothside edges (e.g., edges in the x-axis and -x-axis directions) areclosed. At least one boss fastened to the first hinge structure 200 aand the second hinge structure 200 b may be disposed on at least aportion of the inner side surface of the hinge housing 150.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least a portionof the display 160 may have flexibility. According to an embodiment ofthe disclosure, the display 160 may include the first portion 161 or afirst region disposed on the first housing 110, the second portion 162or a second region disposed on the second housing 120, and a centerportion 163 or a central region that is adjacent to the first housing110 and the second housing 120 in a state in which the electronic device100 is in the unfolded state and corresponds to the position of thehinge structure 200. According to various embodiments of the disclosure,the entire display 160 may have flexibility. Alternatively, at least aportion of the center portion 163 of the display 160 may haveflexibility. The center portion 163 of the display 160 may be disposedsuch that the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are notadhered to each other. For example, the center portion 163 of thedisplay 160 may be spaced apart from the front surface of the hingestructure 200 (e.g., the surface in the z-axis direction) when theelectronic device 100 is folded. The first portion 161 of the display160 may be adhered to at least a portion of the first housing 110, andthe second portion 162 of the display 160 may be adhered to at least aportion of the second housing 120. In this regard, adhesive layers maybe disposed in at least a portion of the region between the display 160and the first housing 110 and in at least a portion of the regionbetween the display 160 and the second housing 120, respectively. Thedisplay 160 may include various layers. For example, the display 160 mayinclude an outer protective layer (or a glass layer or a polymer layer)that has a certain amount of transparency and is equal to or greaterthan a specified size, a display panel layer disposed under the outerprotective layer to display a screen, and a first rear layer disposedunder the display panel layer. The first rear layer may include animpact absorbing layer (or embossing) and a heat-dissipating layer (or ametal sheet layer). Additionally or alternatively, the first rear layermay further include an electromagnetic induction panel (e.g., adigitizer). According to various embodiments of the disclosure, thedisplay 160 may further include a second rear layer disposed under thefirst rear layer. The second rear layer may include at least one metallayer (or metal sheet) at least partially formed of a metal material.The second rear layer may include a specified pattern (e.g., latticepattern, slit pattern) such that at least a portion of the second rearlayer may be bent. Alternatively, at least a portion of the second rearlayer may be formed of another material (e.g., polymer material, rubber,leather material) that is possible to be bent.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one hingestructure 200 may be disposed with respect to the x-axis direction. Forexample, the hinge structure 200 may include a first hinge structure 200a and a second hinge structure 200 b. The hinge structure 200 mayinclude a first portion 200_1 disposed inside the hinge housing 150, anda second portion 200_2 disposed above the hinge housing 150 orcorresponding to a peripheral structure that is not overlapped with thehinge housing 150 with respect to the z-axis (e.g., a structure combinedwith the first housing 110 and the second housing 120). In the firstportion of the hinge structure 200, at least a portion of the firsthinge structure 200 a may be disposed in a first region inside the hingehousing 150 (e.g., a region in the hinge housing 150 that is biased inthe x-axis direction). In the first portion of the hinge structure 200,at least a portion of the second hinge structure 200 b may be disposedin a second region inside the hinge housing 150 (e.g., a region in thehinge housing 150 that is biased in the -x-axis direction). At least aportion of the second portion of the hinge structure 200 may rotate inresponse to the rotation operation of the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120. At least one of the first hinge structure 200 a andthe second hinge structure 200 b according to an embodiment of thedisclosure may include a plurality of detent structures.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front surface and arear surface of a hinge structure of an electronic device related to aplurality of detent structures according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a surface in a first direction in anexploded perspective view of a hinge structure according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a surface in a second direction in anexploded perspective view of a hinge structure according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, and 4 , the electronic device 100according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a plurality ofhinge structures 200, and the first hinge structure 200 a and the secondhinge structure 200 b may have the same structure and shape. In thefollowing, a description will be given based on the first hingestructure 200 a. FIG. 1A has illustrated a structure in which the firsthinge structure 200 a and the second hinge structure 200 b are disposedin the hinge housing 150; however, the disclosure is not limitedthereto, and three or more hinge structures may be mounted on the hingehousing 150.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first hingestructure 200 a may include rotating parts 211 and 212, a fixing bracket213, arm parts 221 and 222, idle gears 233 and 234, and a multi-detentstructure 240.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotating parts211 and 212 may form a driving trajectory of the display 160. Therotating parts 211 and 212 may include a first rotating part 211 coupledto one side of the fixing bracket 213 and a second rotating part 212coupled to the other side of the fixing bracket 213. The first rotatingpart 211 may rotate within a first angular range (e.g., clockwise orcounterclockwise with respect to the x-axis) while being coupled to oneside of the fixing bracket 213. The second rotating part 212 may rotatewithin a second angular range (e.g., counterclockwise or clockwise withrespect to the x-axis) while being coupled to one side of the fixingbracket 213. The first angular range and the second angular range mayhave the same size and have opposite directions. When the electronicdevice 100 is in the unfolded state, the edge of the first rotating part211 in the -y-axis direction may be disposed adjacent to the edge of thesecond rotating part 212 in the y-axis direction. When the electronicdevice 100 is in the folded state, an upper surface of the firstrotating part 211 (e.g., a surface facing in the z-axis direction) andan upper surface of the second rotating part 212 (e.g., a surface facingin the z-axis direction) may be arranged to face each other. The firstrotating part 211 may rotate within a certain angular range (e.g.,within 0 degrees to 100 degrees or within 0 degrees to 95 degrees)around the third axis (13 in FIG. 14 ) (or virtual axis). The secondrotating part 212 may rotate within a certain angular range (e.g.,within 0 degrees to -100 degrees or within 0 degrees to -95 degrees)around the fourth axis (14 in FIG. 14 ) (or virtual axis). The thirdaxis 13 and the fourth axis 14 may be positioned to be spaced apart by apredetermined interval. The third axis 13 and the fourth axis 14 may bepositioned above a first axis (11 in FIG. 14 ) and a second axis (12 inFIG. 14 ) with respect to the z-axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fixing bracket213 may be at least partially disposed and fixed in an inner empty spaceof the hinge housing 150. In this regard, at least a portion of thefixing bracket 213 may have a size corresponding to an inner empty spaceof the hinge housing 150. In addition, at least a portion of the fixingbracket 213 may have a shape corresponding to an inner empty space ofthe hinge housing 150, for example, a semi-cylindrical shape. The fixingbracket 213 may include at least one hole into which at least one bossformed in the hinge housing 150 may be inserted. One side of the firstrotating part 211 may be disposed on one side of the fixing bracket 213so as to be rotatable within a certain angular range, and one side ofthe second rotating part 212 may be disposed on the other side of thefixing bracket 213 so as to be rotatable within a certain angular range.A portion of the multi-detent structure 240 (e.g., one side of a firstrotating shaft 231 and one side of a second rotating shaft 232) and someof the idle gears 233 and 234 may be disposed on one side of the frontsurface (end in the x-axis direction) of the fixing bracket 213.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first hingestructure 200 a may further include a bracket cover 214 disposed closeto the rear surface of the fixing bracket 213 (e.g., in the z-axisdirection) and fastened with the rear surface of the fixing bracket 213(e.g., the surface can be seen in the direction from the -z-axis to thez-axis).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the arm parts (orarm structures) 221 and 222 may rotate about the rotating axes (e.g.,the first rotating axis 11 and the second rotating axis 12) whilesliding on one side of the rotating parts 211 and 212 in response to therotation of the rotating parts 211 and 212 of the electronic device 100and may implement the detent operation while being engaged with cammembers 241 a and 241 b. For example, the arm parts 221 and 222 may haveone side connected to the rotating parts 211 and 212 through fasteningparts 251 and 252, and may move while sliding along at least a portionof the sides of the rotating parts 211 and 212 with the rotation of therotating parts 211 and 212. The arm parts 221 and 222 may include, forexample, the first arm part 221 connected to the first rotating part 211through the first fastening part 251, and the second arm part 222connected to the second rotating part 212 through the second fasteningpart 252. The first arm part 221 may include a first cam structure 221_4a and a second cam structure 221_4 b fastened to the cam members 241 aand 241 b included in the multi-detent structure 240, and the second armpart 222 may include a third cam structure 222_4 a and a fourth camstructure 222_4 b fastened to the cam members 241 a and 241 b includedin the multi-detent structure 240. The first cam structure 221_4 a andthe second cam structure 221_4 b fastened to the cam members 241 a and241 b may implement a cam type detent when the electronic device 100 isfolded or unfolded. The first arm part 221 and the second arm part 222may provide a hinge force (or detent feeling) of the electronic device100 by using the cam structures 221_4 a, 221_4 b, 222_4 a, and 222_4 bengaged with the cam members 241 a and 241 b. The arm parts 221 and 222may not only provide a more robust and stable hinge force (or detentfeeling) based on the multi-detent structure 240, but also support theprovision of improved abrasion resistance and a softer hinge force (ordetent feeling) through the multi-detent structure 240.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the multi-detentstructure 240 may include the first rotating shaft 231, the secondrotating shaft 232, a rotating shaft support member 235, a stopper 236,a first cam member 241 a, a second cam member 241 b, a center bar 243 c,a center bracket 243 a, a shaft bracket 243 b, support rings 292_1 and292_2, a plurality of fixing clips 291_1, 291_2, 291_3, and 291_4, and aplurality of elastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242 d.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first rotatingshaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232 may provide a cam-type hingeforce (or detent feeling). The first rotating shaft 231 and the secondrotating shaft 232 may have a length longer than a separation distancebetween cam structures formed on the arm parts 221 and 222. The firstrotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232 may be disposed tobe spaced apart from each other, and may be disposed parallel to eachother in the x-axis direction. Shaft gears 231_2 and 232_2 may be formedon the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232,respectively, and the respective shaft gears 231_2 and 232_2 may bedisposed to engage with different idle gears (e.g., first idle gear 233,the second idle gear 234). Accordingly, the arm parts 221 and 222 of thehinge structure 200 may rotate at the same point of time and at the sameangle by the force generated while the first rotating part 211 and thesecond rotating part 212 are rotating. The first rotating shaft 231 mayrotate about the first axis 11, and the second rotating shaft 232 mayrotate about the second axis 12.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, one side of therotating shaft support member 235, one side of the stopper 236, one sideof the center bracket 243 a, one side of the shaft bracket 243 b, thefirst support ring 292_1, and the first fixing clip 291_1 may be put onthe first rotating shaft 231. A first cam 241 a_1 a formed on the firstcam member 241 a, a third cam 241 b_1 a formed on the second cam member241 b, the first cam structure 221_4 a and the second cam structure221_4 b of the first arm part 221, the first elastic body 242 a, and thethird elastic body 242 c may be put on the first rotating shaft 231. Afirst shaft gear 231_2 may be formed on the first rotating shaft 231,and at least a portion of the first shaft gear 231_2 may be disposed toengage with the first idle gear 233. One end (e.g., an end in the x-axisdirection) of the first rotating shaft 231 may be disposed on one side(e.g., an end in the -x-axis direction) of the fixing bracket 213.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the other side ofthe rotating shaft support member 235, the other side of the stopper236, the other side of the center bracket 243 a, the other side of theshaft bracket 243 b, the second support ring 292_2, and the secondfixing clip 291_2 may be put on the second rotating shaft 232. A secondcam 241 a_1 b formed on the first cam member 241 a, a fourth cam 241 b_1b formed on the second cam member 241 b, the third cam structure 222_4 aand the fourth cam structure 222_4 b of the second arm part 222, thesecond elastic body 242 b, and the fourth elastic body 242 d may be puton the second rotating shaft 232. A second shaft gear 232_2 may beformed on the second rotating shaft 232, and at least a portion of thesecond shaft gear 232_2 may be disposed to engage with the second idlegear 234. One end (e.g., an end in the x-axis direction) of the secondrotating shaft 232 may be disposed on one side (e.g., an end in the-x-axis direction) of the fixing bracket 213.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rotating shaftsupport member 235 may include a first ring 235_1 fastened to the firstrotating shaft 231 and a second ring 235_2 connected to the secondrotating shaft 232, and a ring body 235-3 facing one side of the idlegears 233 and 234 while connecting the first ring 235_1 and the secondring 235-2. The ring body 235_3 may include a first hole 235_3 a intowhich one side of the first idle gear 233 may be inserted and a secondhole 235_3 b into which one side of the second idle gear 234 may beinserted. The rotating shaft support member 235 may be disposed betweenthe stopper 236 and the shaft gears 231_2 and 232_2 formed on therotating shafts 231 and 232. The rotating shaft support member 235 maybe disposed to surround at least a portion of the idle gears 233 and 234to guide the idle gears 233 and 234 so as not to deviate from specifiedpositions.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the center bar 243 cmay be provided in a bar shape in which the length in the x-axisdirection is longer than that in the y-axis direction, and may bedisposed between the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotatingshaft 232 to cover a space between the first rotating shaft 231 and thesecond rotating shaft 232. The center bar 243 c may include at least oneprotrusion formed in the -z-axis direction. The at least one protrusionmay be fastened to a hole formed in the center bracket 243 a and a holeformed in the shaft bracket 243 b. The center bar 243 c may be moved inthe z-axis or -z-axis direction with the rotation of the first arm part221 and the second arm part 222. For example, the center bar 243 c maybe moved in the z-axis direction to support the display 160 in a statein which the electronic device 100 is unfolded, and may move downward bya predetermined distance in the z-axis direction to secure the distancefrom the display 160 such that the display 160 is not damaged by a dropimpact or an external force in a state in which the electronic device100 is folded.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the shaft bracket243 b may be disposed between the support rings 292_1 and 292_2 and thefirst elastic body 242 a and the second elastic body 242 b. The shaftbracket 243 b may include ring-shaped wings that may be put on the firstrotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232, and may include abody for supporting the wings. The shaft bracket 243 b may be fastenedto the protrusion formed on the center bar 243 c. The shaft bracket 243b may guide the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft232 to maintain a predetermined distance while the first rotating shaft231 and the second rotating shaft 232 are rotating.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the plurality offixing clips 291_1, 291_2, 291_3, and 291_4 may include a first fixingclip 291_1 coupled to one side of the first rotating shaft 231 (e.g., anend in the -x-axis direction), a second fixing clip 291_2 coupled to oneside of the second rotating shaft 232 (e.g., an end in the -x-axisdirection), a third fixing clip 291_3 coupled to one side of the firstfastening part 251 (an end in the -x-axis direction), and a fourthfixing clip 291_4 coupled to one side of the second fastening part 252(an end in the -x-axis direction). The first fixing clip 291_1 may serveto fix the components (e.g., at least one of the first support ring292_1, one side of the shaft bracket 243 b, the first elastic body 242a, the first cam 241 a_1 a, one side of the center bracket 243 a, thethird elastic body 242 c, the third cam 241 b_1 a, one side of thestopper 236, and one side of the rotating shaft support member 235) puton the first rotating shaft 231 so as not to deviate from one side(-x-axis direction). The second fixing clip 291_2 may serve to fix thecomponents (e.g., at least one of the second support ring 292_2, theother side of the shaft bracket 243 b, the second elastic body 242 b,the second cam 241 a_1 b, the other side of the center bracket 243 a,the fourth elastic body 242 d, the fourth cam 241 b_1 b, the other sideof the stopper 236, and the other side of the rotating shaft supportmember 235) put on the second rotating shaft 232 so as not to deviatefrom one side (-x-axis direction). The third fixing clip 291_3 may serveto prevent the first fastening part 251 inserted through the first armpart 221 and the first rotating part 211 from being separated from thefirst arm part 221 or the first rotating part 211 while the first armpart 221 slides along the side surface of the first rotating part 211.The fourth fixing clip 291_4 may serve to prevent the second fasteningpart 252 inserted through the second arm part 222 and the secondrotating part 212 from being separated from the second arm part 222 andthe second rotating part 212 while the second arm part 222 slides alongthe side surface of the second rotating part 212.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the plurality ofelastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242 d may include, for example,a first elastic body 242 a disposed between one side of the shaftbracket 243 b and the first cam 241 a_1 a of the first cam member 241 a,a second elastic body 242 b disposed between the other side of the shaftbracket 243 b and the second cam 241 a_1 b of the first cam member 241a, a third elastic body 242 c disposed between one side of the centerbracket 243 a and the third cam 241 b_1 a of the second cam member 241b, and a fourth elastic body 242 d disposed between the other side ofthe center bracket 243 a and the fourth cam 241 b_1 b of the second cammember 241 b. The plurality of elastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and242 d may provide an elastic force required for cam motion of the firstcam member 241 a and the second cam member 241 b, respectively.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to provide thesame hinge force (or detent feeling) during the rotating operation ofthe electronic device 100, the first elastic body 242 a and the secondelastic body 242 b (or the third elastic body 242 c and the fourthelastic body 242 d) may have the same characteristics. For example, theplurality of elastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242 d may have aspring structure having the same or similar length, thickness, anddiameter. Alternatively, according to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the plurality of elastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242d may have different lengths, thicknesses, and diameters (e.g., thefirst elastic body 242 a and the second elastic body 242 b has the sameor similar first length, first thickness, and first diameter, and thethird elastic body 242 c and the fourth elastic body 242 d has the sameor similar second length (second length different from the firstlength), second thickness (second thickness different from the firstthickness), and second diameter (second diameter different from thefirst diameter)).

As described above, the hinge structures 200 a and 200 b according to anembodiment of the disclosure may include rotating parts 211 and 212coupled to the hinge housing 150 and the housings 110 and 120 andinvolved in the folding or unfolding operation of the display 160 placedon the upper side, the multi-detent structure 240 connected to therotating parts 211 and 212, and a gear structure (e.g., a shaft gear ofthe first rotating shaft 231, a shaft gear of the second rotating shaft232, and idle gears 233 and 234) for supporting simultaneous rotation ofthe first housing 110 and the second housing 120.

With the above configuration, the hinge structures 200 a and 200 b mayrotate around virtual axes (or a third axis 13 and a fourth axis 14)formed above the surface of the rotating parts 211 and 212 to implementfolding or unfolding of the display 160, and may suppress torsion of thehousings 110 and 120 during the hinge operation process by providing animproved detent feeling based on the plurality of cam structures andsupporting simultaneous hinge operation of the housings 110 and 120based on the gear structures (e.g., the shaft gear on the first rotatingshaft 231, the shaft gear on the second rotating shaft 232, and idlegears 233 and 234). Furthermore, the hinge structures 200 a and 200 bmay support a temporarily fixed state including a partially folded stateat a certain angle, for example, between 30 degrees and 60 degrees(e.g., the angle between the front surface of the first housing 110 andthe front surface of the second housing 120) as well as unfolded stateor the folded state of the housings 110 and 120.

In order to increase the detent load in the hinge structure according toan embodiment of the disclosure, it is necessary to increase the elasticforce acting on the cam motion, and accordingly, it is necessary toexpand the free field of the spring (e.g., an elastic body), reduce thenumber of windings of the spring, or increase the wire diameter of thespring; however, the free field expansion and the reduction of thenumber of windings have a slight effect of increasing the load, andincreasing the load over a certain value may exceed the allowable stresslimit of the spring, resulting in a spring break. In order to increasethe spring load, the inner diameter of the spring may be reduced or theouter diameter of the spring may be increased, and for the innerdiameter reduction, the diameter of the rotating shafts 231 and 232 isto be reduced, which may result in the fact that the concentricity ofthe rotating shafts 231 and 232 is lowered and warpage occurs in theprocess of manufacturing parts. In addition, for the outer diameterincrease, there may be a condition where interference of the surroundingparts related to the spring occurs or additional space is required toexclude the part interference (e.g., an increase in the thickness of thehinge structure and an increase in the thickness of the electronicdevice 100 accordingly). In addition, for an increase in the limitedelastic force of the spring, a load may be concentrated on the camcomponent, which may accelerate wear. In this regard, the hingestructures 200 a and 200 b of the electronic device 100 according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure may improve wear performance(e.g., as the number of cam structures and cams increase, the loss loaddecreases with the number, for example, four cam structures provide ¼loss load) by increasing the maximum load and the constant load actingon the cam motion and suppressing the space increase (e.g., reducing orpreventing the increase in thickness of the hinge structure) by theplurality of elastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242 d, in a statein which the plurality of cam members 241 a and 241 b are fastened tothe arm parts 221 and 222. According to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the first elastic body 242 a and the third elastic body 242c may have the same length, and the second elastic body 242 b and thefourth elastic body 242 d may have the same length. According to variousembodiments of the disclosure, the first elastic body 242 a and thethird elastic body 242 c have different lengths, and in a state in whichthe lengths of the second elastic body 242 b and the fourth elastic body242 d are different from each other, the sum of the lengths of the firstelastic body 242 a and the third elastic body 242 c may be equal to thesum of the lengths of the second elastic body 242 b and the fourthelastic body 242 d.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotating part accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

Before description, the rotating part illustrated in FIG. 5 is anexample of the second rotating part in FIGS. 3 and 4 above. The secondrotating part 212 may have the same size, shape, and material except fora structure in which it is symmetrical to the first rotating part 211with respect to the first axis 11 (or the second axis 12). In thefollowing description, the structure of the rotating part will bedescribed based on the second rotating part 212.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the second rotating part 212 according to anembodiment of the disclosure may include a bracket body 212_1, a slidehole 212_2 formed at one end of the bracket body 212_1 (e.g., an end inthe -x-axis direction), a rail 212_3 formed at the other end of thebracket body 212_1 (e.g., an end in the -y-axis direction), and ahousing coupling hole 212_4 used for coupling with the second housing(e.g., the second housing 120 of FIGS. 1A to 1C). Similar to the secondrotating part 212, the first rotating part 211 described above in FIG. 3or FIG. 4 may include the bracket body, the slide hole, the rail, andthe housing coupling hole.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the bracket body212_1 has a length in the x-axis relatively longer than that in they-axis, at least a portion of the surface facing in the z-axis is formedto be flat, and at least a portion of the surface facing in the -z axisis also flat as a whole. Based on the illustrated drawing, the slidehole 212_2 is formed at the right end of the bracket body 212_1 (e.g.,the end in the -x-axis direction) to face in a lower direction (e.g., inthe -z-axis direction), and the rail 212_3 may be disposed at one end ofthe bracket body 212_1 (e.g., end in the -y-axis direction) to face alower surface (e.g., surface in the -z-axis direction). At least onehousing coupling hole 212_4 used for coupling the second housing 120 maybe disposed in the bracket body 212_1. In the illustrated drawing, thethree housing coupling holes 212_4 are arranged; however, the disclosureis not limited thereto. For example, two or more housing coupling holes212_4 may be formed, and two or more housing coupling holes 212_4 may bedisposed to be spaced apart from the bracket body 212_1. According tovarious embodiments of the disclosure, at least one bracket couplinghole 212_5 may be disposed in the bracket body 212_1. The bracketcoupling hole 212_5 is fastened to a coupling protrusion formed on thefixing bracket 213 when the electronic device 100 is in the unfoldedstate, and may be separated from the coupling protrusion of the fixingbracket 213 when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state. Thenumber of bracket coupling holes 212_5 may correspond to the number ofcoupling protrusions of the fixing bracket 213.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the slide hole 212_2may be disposed at the other end of the bracket body 212_1 (e.g., theend in the -x-axis direction) and may be disposed under the bracket body212_1. The slide hole 212_2 may be formed to have a length in a firstdirection (e.g., the y-axis direction) longer than that in a thirddirection (e.g., the x-axis direction). Accordingly, the secondfastening part 252 inserted into the slide hole 212_2 may be slid in anyof the first direction (e.g., the y-axis direction) and the seconddirection (e.g., the -y-axis direction) within the slide hole 212_2. Theslide hole 212_2 may be disposed to face a surface of the second armpart 222 in a fourth direction (e.g., a surface disposed in the -x-axisdirection). At least a portion of the slide hole 212_2 may be alignedwith a connection hole of the second arm part 222. Accordingly, at leasta portion of the second fastening part 252 may be disposed inside theslide hole 212_2 and the connection hole.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the rail 212_3 maybe disposed at the end of the bracket body 212_1 in the second direction(e.g., the end in the -y-axis direction) and may be disposed under thebracket body 212_1. The rail 212_3 may have an arc shape of apredetermined angle. The rail 212_3 may be inserted into a rail groove(or rail type hole) disposed on the fixing bracket 213 and may rotatewithin a specified rotation range along the rail groove. According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the rotation range of the rail 212_3 maybe included within an angle of the arc forming the shape of the rail212_3. For example, the rotation range of the rail 212_3 may be at leasta partial range within a range of -10 degrees to 100 degrees (e.g., arange of 0 degrees to 95 degrees). The rail 212_3 may rotate between the-z-axis and the z-axis based on the fourth axis 14 formed by the railgroove of the fixing bracket 213.

The housing coupling hole 212_4 may be formed on one side of the bracketbody 212_1 (e.g., one side edge facing in the y-axis direction), and maybe formed to penetrate through a surface in the first direction (e.g., asurface in the y-axis direction) and a surface in the second direction(e.g., a surface in the -y-axis direction). In the illustrated drawing,the bracket body 212_1 is illustrated as having three housing couplingholes 212_4 formed; however, the disclosure is not limited to thenumber.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fixing bracketaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6 , at least a portion of the shape of the lowersurface (e.g., a surface in the -z-axis direction) of the fixing bracket213 may include a curved surface. For example, the lower surface of thefixing bracket 213 may be formed to correspond to the inner shape of thehinge housing (e.g., the hinge housing 150 of FIG. 1C). At least aportion of the upper surface (a surface in the z-axis direction) of thefixing bracket 213 may be provided in a flat shape, and may have railgrooves 213 a and 213 b (or rail holes) formed such that rotatingbrackets (e.g., the rotating brackets 211 and 212 in FIG. 2 ) arecoupled thereto. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, thefixing bracket 213 may include a first rail groove 213 a that at leastpartially has an arc shape in a z-axis cross-section (e.g., across-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis), andinto which the rail of the first rotating part 211 is inserted from thefirst direction (e.g., y-axis direction) to the second direction (e.g.,-y-axis direction).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6 , according to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the fixing bracket 213 may include a second rail groove 213b that at least partially has an arc shape in a z-axis cross-section(e.g., a cross-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the-z-axis), and into which the rail 212_3 of the second rotating part 212is inserted from the second direction (e.g., -y-axis direction) to thefirst direction (e.g., y-axis direction). The first rail groove 213 amay be disposed biased in the -y-axis direction compared to the secondrail groove 213 b, and the second rail groove 213 b may be disposed tobe biased in the y-axis direction compared to the first rail groove 213a. The first rail groove 213 a may rotate about the third axis 13, andthe second rail groove 213 b may rotate about the fourth axis 14. Thethird axis 13 and the fourth axis 14 may be formed above (air) the uppersurface of the fixing bracket 213 (e.g., a surface in the z-axisdirection), and the third axis 13 and the fourth axis 14 may be formedspaced apart by the first rail groove 213 a disposed to be biased in the-y-axis direction and the second rail groove 213 b disposed to be biasedin the y-axis direction. According to an embodiment of the disclosure,the fixing bracket 213 may include a first groove 213_2 a in which oneend of the first rotating shaft 231 is disposed, and a second groove213_2 b in which one end of the second rotating shaft 232 is disposed,which are formed on a side disposed in the third direction (e.g., thex-axis direction).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fixing bracket213 may include a first fixing hole 213_1 a and a second fixing hole213_1 b used to fix the fixing bracket 213 to the hinge housing 150. Theelectronic device 100 may fix the fixing bracket 213 to the hingehousing 150 by using a coupling member (e.g., a coupling member such asa screw). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fixinghole 213_1 a and the second fixing hole 213_1 b may be disposed to besymmetrical diagonally on an upper surface of the fixing bracket 213(e.g., a surface in the z-axis direction) in order to fix the fixingbracket 213 to the hinge housing 150 more firmly and stably.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fixing bracket213 may include at least one bracket protrusion 213_3 inserted into thebracket coupling hole 212_5 formed in the first rotating part 211.Furthermore, a bracket coupling hole may be formed in the secondrotating part 212 in the same manner as the first rotating part 211, andthe fixing bracket 213 may include bracket protrusions of the same shapeat a position symmetrical to the bracket protrusion 213_3 inserted intothe bracket coupling hole 212_5 of the first rotating part 211 withrespect to the -x-axis. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, aplurality of bracket protrusions 213_3 may be disposed on a surface ofthe fixing bracket 213 in the z-axis direction. For example, theplurality of bracket protrusions 213_3 may be disposed at each edge ofthe surface of the fixing bracket 213 in the z-axis direction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arm part according toan embodiment of the disclosure.

Before description, an arm part illustrated in FIG. 7 represents thesecond arm part with reference to FIG. 3 . The second arm part 222 has ashape similar to the first arm part 221 (e.g., a shape symmetrical withrespect to the x-axis) and may be formed of the same size and material.In the following, a description will be given based on the second armpart, among the first arm part and the second part arm of FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7 , the second arm part 222 according to anembodiment of the disclosure may be fastened to the second rotating part212 via a second fastening part (e.g., the second fastening part 252 inFIG. 3 ), and may rotate in connection with the second rotating part 212when the hinge operation is performed. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the second arm part 222 may include a basic body 222_1, aconnecting part 222_2, the third cam structure 222_4 a, and the fourthcam structure 222_4 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least a portionof an upper surface (e.g., a surface disposed toward the z-axis) of thebasic body 222_1 may be formed to be flat. The connecting part 222 2 maybe disposed on at least a portion of a lower surface (e.g., a surface inthe -z-axis direction) of the upper edge (e.g., an end in the y-axisdirection) of the basic body 222_1. The connecting part 222_2 may beformed in a ring shape or a pipe shape having a predetermined thickness.For example, the connecting part 222 2 may include a hole 222_21 openedin the third direction (e.g., the x-axis direction or the -x-axisdirection). At least a portion of the second fastening part 252 may bedisposed in the hole 222_21 of the connecting part 222_2. In thisregard, the size of the hole 222_21 of the connecting part 222_2 mayhave a size similar to the diameter of the second fastening part 252.The third cam structure 222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b maybe disposed on a lower surface (e.g., a surface in the -z-axisdirection) of the lower edge (e.g., end in the -y-axis direction) of thebasic body 222_1. The third cam structure 222_4 a and the fourth camstructure 222_4 b may be disposed on the edge of the basic body 222_1 inthe -y-axis direction, and the connecting part 222_2 may be disposed onthe edge of the basic body 222_1 in the y-axis direction.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third camstructure 222_4 a may include a first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 having auniform diameter in the direction from the x-axis to the -x-axis, afirst holding portion 222_4 a 2 supporting the center bar 243 c, astepped jaw 222_4 a 3 at least partially engaged with the center bracket243 a, and a first cam protrusion 222_4 a 4 for cam motion.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least a portionof the second rotating shaft 232 may be inserted into the firstfastening hole 222_4 a 1. The first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 may beformed in a shape the same as or similar to a cross-section of one sideof the second rotating shaft 232 (e.g., a cross-section cut in thedirection from the z-axis to the -z-axis). For example, at least aportion of the cross-section of the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1(e.g., the cross-section of the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 when thethird cam structure 222_4 a is cut in the direction from the z-axis tothe -z-axis) may include a straight line. The first fastening hole 222_4a 1 may be disposed on the same axis (e.g., the second axis 12) as asecond fastening hole 222_4 b 1 of the fourth cam structure 222_4 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first holdingportion 222_4 a 2 may protrude in the -y-axis direction from one side ofthe periphery forming the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 by apredetermined length. At least a portion of the z-axis cross-section ofthe first holding portion 222_4 a 2 may include a triangle. According tovarious embodiments of the disclosure, the size of the z-axiscross-section of the first holding portion 222_4 a 2 may have a shapegradually decreasing from the y-axis to the -y-axis. An upper surface(e.g., a surface facing in the z-axis direction) of the first holdingportion 222_4 a 2 may be positioned lower than an upper surface (e.g., asurface facing in the z-axis direction) of the basic body 222_1 withrespect to the z-axis. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, thefirst holding portion 222_4 a 2 may be positioned between one upper side(e.g., one point in the z-axis direction) and one lower side (e.g., onepoint in the -z-axis direction) of the periphery forming the firstfastening hole 222_4 a 1, and may be formed to protrude in the -y-axisdirection from a side (e.g., one point of the -y-axis direction) in theperiphery of the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1. The first holdingportion 222_4 a 2 may be integrated with the periphery forming the firstfastening hole 222_4 a 1. In this regard, the first holding portion222_4 a 2 may be formed of the same material as the periphery of thefirst fastening hole 222_4 a 1 or the basic body 222_1.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the stepped jaw222_4 a 3 is provided for ease of assembly with the center bracket 243a, and may guide the center bracket 243 a so that it is not separateduntil the rotating shaft is assembled. The stepped jaw 222_4 a 3 may beformed to protrude further by a predetermined height in the x-axisdirection from a side surface facing in the x-axis direction in theperiphery of the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1. The stepped jaw 222_4 a3 may be disposed to surround the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1. Inthis regard, at least one of the outer or inner circumferential surfaceof the stepped jaw 222_4 a 3 may be circular or elliptical. According tovarious embodiments of the disclosure, the inner circumferential surfaceof the stepped jaw 222_4 a 3 may have a shape corresponding to the shapeof the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 (e.g., at least a portion of thez-axis cross-section includes a straight line). The stepped jaw 222_4 a3 may be at least partially disposed on a ring-shaped ring provided inthe center bracket 243 a.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first camprotrusion 222_4 a 4 may protrude by a predetermined height in the-x-axis direction from the side surface facing in the -x-axis directionin the periphery of the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1, and theprotruding height may vary depending on the location. For example, thez-axis cross-section of the first cam protrusion 222_4 a 4 (e.g., thecross-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis) mayhave a circular shape or a shape in which at least a portion includes astraight line and the remaining portion includes a curve (at least aportion includes a D-cut form). The first cam protrusion 222_4 a 4 mayhave an uneven shape in the -x-axis direction. The first cam protrusion222_4 a 4 having the uneven shape in the -x-axis direction may includeat least partially a curved section. The height of the peaks ofirregularities may be the same in the -x-axis direction, and the depthof the valleys of irregularities may be the same in the x-axisdirection. The center portions of the peaks and valleys ofirregularities may include a flat region having a predetermined length.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fourth camstructure 242_4 b may include a second fastening hole 222_4 b 1 having auniform diameter in the direction from the x-axis to the -x-axis, asecond holding portion 222_4 b 2 supporting the center bar 243 c, aprotrusion 222_4 b 3 at least partially engaged with the stopper 236,and a second cam protrusion 222_4 ab for cam motion. The fourth camstructure 222_4 b may be disposed on one side of the basic body 222_1and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the third cam structure222_4 a by a predetermined distance. A separation distance between thethird cam structure 222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b mayvary depending on the size or shape of at least one of elastic bodies,cam members, and the center bracket 243 a disposed between the third camstructure 222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least a portionof the second rotating shaft 232 may be inserted into the secondfastening hole 222_4 b 1. The second fastening hole 222_4 b 1 may beformed in a shape the same as or similar to a cross-section of one sideof the second rotating shaft 232 (e.g., a cross-section cut in thedirection from the z-axis to the -z-axis). Accordingly, at least aportion of the cross-section of the second fastening hole 222_4 b 1(e.g., the cross-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the-z-axis) may have the same shape as the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1.The second fastening hole 222_4 b 1 may be disposed on the same axis(e.g., the second axis 12) as the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 of thefourth cam structure 242_4 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second holdingportion 222_4 b 2 may be provided in a shape the same as or similar tothe first mounting portion 222_4 a 2. For example, the second holdingportion 222_4 b 2 may be formed between one upper side (e.g., one pointin the z-axis direction) and one lower side (e.g., one point in the-z-axis direction) of the periphery of the second fastening hole 222_4 b1, and may be disposed to protrude in the -y-axis direction. Accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure, similarly to the first holdingportion 222_4 a 2, the second mounting portion 222_4 b 2 may have ashape in which the size of the protruding width gradually decreases inthe direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the protrusion 222_4b 3 may have a predetermined thickness on one surface facing in the-x-axis direction in the periphery of the second fastening hole 222_4 b1, and may protrude in the -x-axis direction by a predetermined length.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protrusion height ofthe protrusion 222_4 b 3 may have a height corresponding to the shape ofone side of the stopper 236. The thickness of the protrusion 222_4 b 3may have the same width as that of the periphery of the second fasteninghole 222_4 b 1, and may have a width smaller than the total width of theperiphery. The protrusion 222_4 b 3 may define a limit angle at whichthe second arm part 222 rotates within a specified angular range (e.g.,within a range of 0 degrees to 100 degrees or 0 degrees to -100degrees).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a second camprotrusion 222_4 b 4 may have a shape the same as or similar to thefirst cam protrusion 222_4 a 4. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the second cam protrusion 222_4 b 4 may includeirregularities protruding in the x-axis direction from one surfacefacing in the x-axis direction in the periphery of the second fasteninghole 222_4 b 1. The second cam protrusion 222_4 b 4 may include at leastone peak and valley. The center portions of the peak or valley of thesecond cam protrusion 222_4 b 4 may be formed to be flat. The size of acertain region at the center portion of the peak or valley of the secondcam protrusion 222_4 b 4 (e.g., the size of the flat region) may beformed equal to the size of a certain region at the center portion ofthe peak or valley of the first cam protrusion 222_4 a 4. According tovarious embodiments of the disclosure, to provide a smoother hinge force(or detent feeling), the size of a certain region at the center portionof the peak or valley of the second cam protrusion 222_4 b 4 (e.g., thesize of the flat region) may be formed to be different from the size ofa certain region at the center portion of the peak or valley of thefirst cam protrusion 222_4 a 4.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the protrusions (orirregularities, or peaks and valleys) of the third cam structure 222_4 aand the fourth cam structure 222_4 b may be set to different directions(e.g., -x-axis direction). Alternatively, the directions of theprotrusions of the third cam structure 222_4 a and the fourth camstructure 222_4 b may be different from each other. For example, theprotrusion direction of the third cam structure 222_4 a may be the-x-axis direction, and the protrusion direction of the fourth camstructure 222_4 b may be the x-axis direction. The directions of thecams (e.g., 241 a_1 b and 241 b_1 b) may be also arranged to engage withthe cam structures 222_4 a and 222_4 b depending on the arrangementdirection of the cam structures 222_4 a and 222_4 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second arm part222 having the above-described structure may rotate about the secondrotating shaft 232. In an arrangement state in which one side of thefirst cam member 241 a (e.g., the second cam 241 a_1 b) is engaged withthe third cam structure 222_4 a and one side of the second cam member241 b (e.g., the fourth cam 241 b_1 b) is engaged with the fourth camstructure 222_4 b, the second elastic body 242 b may provide an elasticforce to the second cam 241 a_1 b and the third cam structure 222_4 a,and the fourth elastic body 242 d may provide an elastic force to thefourth cam 241 b_1 b and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b. The third camstructure 222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b may perform a cammotion simultaneously or in multiple stages. According to an embodimentof the disclosure, the electronic device 100 may provide the third camstructure 222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b into which thecam structure required for the cam motion is divided, and thus there isno increase in the size of the elastic bodies (e.g., increase in thediameter of the elastic body) or the thickness (e.g., the width of theline forming the elastic body), which makes it possible to provide ahigh elastic force without increasing the thickness of the electronicdevice 100. In addition, since the electronic device 100 may provide arigid and improved (or greater) hinge force (or detent feeling orpressure) through a high elastic force, even if a display with increasedtension, stiffness, or reaction force (e.g., increased thickness) isused, the folded or unfolded state of the electronic device 100 may bestably provided. The electronic device 100 may provide various holdingangles more stably by using the arm part including a plurality of camstructures.

The second arm part 222 including the third cam structure 222_4 a andthe fourth cam structure 222_4 b described above may have the same (orsimilar) configuration and shape as the first arm part 221 including thefirst cam structure 221_4 a and the second cam structure 221_4 b, basedon the first axis 11 or the second axis 12.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second rotating shaftaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Before description, a second rotating shaft illustrated in FIG. 8 mayhave the same shape and material as the first rotating shaft.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8 , according to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the second rotating shaft 232 may include a column part232_1, a shaft gear 232_2 (e.g., a second shaft gear 232_2 in FIG. 3 ),a ring holding groove 232_3, and a plate mounting groove 232_4. Thesecond rotating shaft 232 may rotate about the second axis 12 in apredetermined angular range (e.g., an angular range from 0 degrees to100 degrees or from 0 degrees to -100 degrees) with the rotation of thesecond arm part 222.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, one end of thecolumn part 232_1 (e.g., an end in the x-axis direction) may be fastenedto one side of the fixing bracket 213, and the other end (e.g., an endin the -x-axis direction) thereof may be fastened to a fixing clip(e.g., 291_2). The column part 232_1 may have a rod shape in which thelength in the x-axis direction is relatively longer than that in they-axis direction. At least a portion of the z-axis cross-section (e.g.,a cross-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis) ofthe column part 232_1 may include a curve, and the remaining portion ofthe column part 232_1 may include a straight line. For example, in thecolumn part 232_1, at least a portion of one surface in the z-axisdirection and at least a portion of one surface in the z-axis directionmay be formed in a straight line in cross-section (a cross-section cutin the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis), and at least a portionof one surface in the y-axis direction and at least a portion of onesurface in the -y-axis direction may be formed in a curved shape.Accordingly, at least a portion of an upper portion of the column part232_1 in the z-axis direction or the -z-axis direction may be formed asa flat surface, and at least a portion of the side surface in the y-axisdirection or the -y-axis direction may be formed as a curved surface.The total length of the column part 232_1 may vary depending on thecomponents put on the second rotating shaft 232. For example, one sideof the rotating shaft support member 235, one side of the stopper 236,the first fastening hole 222_4 a 1 of the third cam structure 222_4 a,the second fastening hole 222_4 b 1 of the fourth cam structure 222_4 b,the second cam 241_1 b, the fourth cam 241 b_1 b, the second elasticbody 242 b, the fourth elastic body 242 d, one side of the centerbracket 243 a, one side of the shaft bracket 243 bb, support rings 292_1and 292_2, and the fixing clip may be coupled to the column part 232_1.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the shaft gear 232_2may be disposed to be biased toward an end of the column part 232_1 inthe x-axis direction. The shaft gear 232_2 has a larger cross-sectionthan the z-axis cross-section (e.g., a cross-section cut in thedirection from the z-axis to the -z-axis) of the column part 232_1, anda gear may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the shaftgear 232_2. The shaft gear 232_2 may be disposed to engage with, forexample, an idle gear (e.g., 234). The shaft gear 232_2 may be disposedbetween the end of the column part 232_1 in the x-axis direction and theplate holding groove 232_4.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the plate holdinggroove 232_4 may be formed on one side of an upper surface (e.g., atleast a portion of a surface facing in the z-axis direction) of thecolumn part 232_1. At least a portion of the rotating shaft supportmember 235 may be held in the plate holding groove 232_4. The plateholding groove 232_4 may be formed by being engraved lower than theperiphery on one surface of the upper surface of the column part 232_1.The plate holding groove 232_4 may be disposed such that the rotatingshaft support member 235 surrounds the idle gear 234 and the shaft gear232_2.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the ring holdinggroove 232_3 may be disposed to be biased toward the -x axis of thecolumn part 232_1. For example, the ring holding groove 232_3 may beformed at a position spaced apart from the end in the -x-axis directionof the column part 232_1 at a predetermined interval in the x-axisdirection to have a lower height than the periphery and surround theentire circumference of the column part 232_1. Accordingly, the ringholding groove 232_3 may be provided in the shape of an engraved stripof the column part 232_1. For example, the fixing clip (e.g., 292_2) maybe inserted into the ring holding groove 232_3.

In the above description, the second rotating shaft 232 has beendescribed; however, the first rotating shaft 231 may also have the sameconfiguration and material as the second rotating shaft 232. Forexample, the first rotating shaft 231 may include a column part, a shaftgear, a ring holding groove, and a plate mounting groove, and may rotatein a direction opposite to the second rotating shaft 232 about the firstaxis 11 spaced apart from the second axis 12 by a predetermineddistance.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of astopper according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure, thestopper 236 may prevent the first arm part 221 and the second arm part222 from rotating beyond a specified angle, or may support a pressurewhen the pressure is applied out of the specified angle range. Thestopper 236 may include a stopper body 236_1, a first shaft insertionhole 236 a into which at least a portion of the first rotating shaft 231is inserted, and a second shaft insertion hole 236 b into which at leasta portion of the second rotating shaft 232 is inserted.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the stopper body236_1 may be formed to protrude further in the fourth direction (e.g.,-x-axis direction) than the surfaces of the first shaft insertion hole236 a and the second shaft insertion hole 236 b. The stopper body 236_1may be formed to limit the rotation range of the first arm part 221while the first arm part 221 is rotating, and limit the rotation rangeof the second arm part 222 while the second arm part 222 is rotating.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the stopper 236 mayinclude a first hole periphery 236 a 1 forming the first shaft insertionhole 236 a and a first stepped jaw 236 a 2 liming the rotation range ofthe first arm part 221. The first hole periphery 236 a 1 may have astrip shape in which the first shaft insertion hole 236 a is formed inthe center portion. The first stepped jaw 236 a 2 may be formed toprotrude further in the -x-axis direction from a surface of the firsthole periphery 236 a 1 in the -x-axis direction. The first stepped jaw236 a 2 may be disposed to cover, for example, a certain surface (e.g.,half) of the first hole periphery 236 a 1. The size of the first steppedjaw 236 a 2 formed on the first hole periphery 236 a 1 may vary greatlydepending on the rotation design range of the first arm part 221. Forexample, if the rotation range of the first arm part 221 is designed tobe relatively larger, the surface of the first hole periphery 236 a 1 onwhich the first stepped jaw 236 a 2 is disposed may be designed to besmaller, and conversely, if the rotation range of the first arm part 221is designed to be relatively smaller, the surface of the first holeperiphery 236 a 1 on which the first stepped jaw 236 a 2 is disposed maybe designed to be larger.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the stopper 236 mayinclude a second hole periphery 236 b 1 forming the second shaftinsertion hole 236 b and a second stepped jaw 236 b 2 liming therotation range of the second arm part 222. The second hole periphery 236b 1 may be disposed to be symmetrical with the first hole periphery 236a 1 in the y-axis direction with respect to an axis crossing the x-axisof the stopper body 236_1 and the -x-axis (or virtual axis). The secondshaft insertion hole 236 b, the second hole periphery 236 b 1, and thesecond stepped jaw 236 b 2 may have the same (or similar) form as thefirst shaft insertion hole 236 a, the first hole periphery 236 al, andthe first stepped jaw 236 a 2. The second stepped jaw 236 b 2 may limitthe rotation range of the second arm part 222.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a portion of thefirst hole periphery 236 a 1 and the second hole periphery 236 b 1 maybe disposed to protrude further in the z-axis direction than an uppersurface (a surface in the z-axis direction) of the stopper body 236_1.Accordingly, the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft232 inserted into the first shaft insertion hole 236 a and the secondshaft insertion hole 236 b may be at least partially disposed above thestopper body 236_1 in the z-axis direction.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a center bracketaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 10 , the center bracket 243 a according to anembodiment of the disclosure may support the center bar 243 c, and maybe involved in the z-axis motion of the center bar 243 c (e.g., guidethe motion range of the center bar 243 c). The center bracket 243 a mayinclude a center body 243 a 3, a first bracket wing part 243 a 1, and asecond bracket wing part 243 a 2.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the center body 243a 3 may have a certain thickness in the z-axis direction and may have anelongated shape in the x-axis direction as the x-axis or -x-axisdirection is formed relatively larger than the y-axis direction. In thecenter body 243 a 3, an upper surface (e.g., a surface in the z-axisdirection) may be formed to be narrower than a lower surface (e.g., asurface in the -z-axis direction) so as to correspond to adjacentelastic bodies (e.g., the third elastic body 242 c and the fourthelastic body 242 d) and the first cam member 241 a, the rim thereof mayhave a certain inclination angle, and the shape thereof may be curvedfrom the bottom to the top. The center body 243 a 3 may include a centercoupling hole 243 a 3_1 opened in the z-axis direction and coupled witha boss formed in the center bar 243 c, and a housing coupling hole 243 a3_2 opened in the same direction as the center coupling hole 243 a 3_1and coupled with a boss formed on one side of the hinge housing. Thecenter coupling hole 243 a 3_1 and the housing coupling hole 243 a 3_2may be disposed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first bracketwing part 243 a 1 may be formed to protrude from the central region ofthe center body 243 a 3 in the y-axis direction. The first bracket wingpart 243 a 1 may include a first bracket wing 243 a 1_1 and a firstbracket hole 243 a 1_2. The first bracket wing 243 a 1_1 may have acircular band shape such that the first bracket hole 243 a 1_2 is formedin the center portion. In the first bracket wing 243 a 1_1, a step maybe formed around the first bracket hole 243 a 1_2. Some of the camstructures (e.g., stepped jaw 222_4 a 3) formed in the first arm part221 may be disposed in the step formed around the first bracket hole 243a 1_2. The first bracket hole 243 a 1_2 may be opened in a directionperpendicular to the opening direction of the center coupling hole 243 a3_1 or the housing coupling hole 243 a 3_2. The size of the firstbracket hole 243 a 1_2 may be equal to or similar to the thickness ofthe first rotating shaft 231. Alternatively, the shape (e.g., circularshape) of the first bracket hole 243 a 1_2 may be different from theshape of the first rotating shaft 231 (e.g., a closed curve includingsome curves and some straight lines), and the diameter of the firstbracket hole 243 a 1_2 may be larger than that of the first rotatingshaft 231.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second bracketwing part 243 a 2 may be formed to protrude from the central region ofthe center body 243 a 3 in the -y-axis direction, which is a directionopposite to the first bracket wing part 243 a 1. The second bracket wingpart 243 a 2 may include a second bracket wing 243 a 2_1 and a secondbracket hole 243 a 2_2. The second bracket wing 243 a 2_1 may have acircular band shape such that the second bracket hole 243 a 2_2 isformed in the center portion. Similar to the first bracket wing 243 a1_1, the second bracket wing 243 a 2_1 may have a step formed on oneside (e.g., the inner periphery where the second bracket hole 243 a 2_2is formed), and some of the cam structures (e.g., the stepped jaw 222_4a 3) formed on the second arm part 222 may be disposed in the step. Thesecond bracket hole 243 a 2_2 may be opened in the same direction as thefirst bracket hole 243 a 1_2. The second bracket hole 243 a 2_2 may beformed the same as the first bracket hole 243 a 1_2, and may be formedpartially different from the z-axis cross-section of the second rotatingshaft 232 (e.g., the cross-section cut in the direction from the z-axisto the -z-axis). The second rotating shaft 232 may be inserted into thesecond bracket hole 243 a 2_2, and the second rotating shaft 232 mayrotate within the second bracket hole 243 a 2_2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shaft bracketaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 11 , the shaft bracket 243 b according to anembodiment of the disclosure may be combined with the first rotatingshaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232 to serve to fix the firstrotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232. The shaft bracket243 b may include holes into which the first rotating shaft 231 and thesecond rotating shaft 232 are inserted, respectively, and may serve tosupport elastic bodies (e.g., the first elastic body 242 a and thesecond elastic body 242 b). The shaft bracket 243 b may include a shaftbracket body 243 b 3, a first shaft wing 243 b 1, and a second shaftwing 243 b 2.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the shaft bracketbody 243 b 3 may have x-axis and y-axis lengths longer than z-axislengths. For example, the overall shape of the shaft bracket body 243 b3 may have a rectangular shape having a predetermined thickness. Sideportions (e.g., y-axis edge and -y-axis edge) of the shaft bracket body243 b 3 may have a shape in which the size of the entire surfacegradually decreases from the bottom surface to the top surface.Alternatively, at least some of the side portions of the shaft bracketbody 243 b 3 may have a curved shape in which a cross-section (e.g., across-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis) iscurved inward (e.g., in the direction from the y-axis to the -y-axis orfrom the -y-axis to the y-axis). One side of the first elastic body 242a and one side of the second elastic body 242 b may be disposed adjacentto the side portion of the shaft bracket body 243 b_3. One side edge(e.g., -x-axis edge) of the shaft bracket body 243 b 3 may includeprotrusions 243 b 3_1 and 243 b 3_2 protruding in the -x-axis directionand disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a predeterminedinterval on the y-axis. A locking part protruding in the -z-axisdirection from the end of the center bar 243 c may be fastened to avalley 243 b 3_3 between the protrusions 243 b 3_1 and 243 b 3_2 spacedapart from each other. A coupling hole 243 b 3 _4 coupled with a bossformed in the hinge housing 150 may be disposed inside the shaft bracketbody 243 b 3. The coupling hole 243 b 3_4 may be disposed to be openedin the z-axis direction, for example.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first shaft wing243 b 1 may extend to one side of the shaft bracket body 243 b 3 (e.g.,the edge in the y-axis among the edges in the -x-axis), and may have aring shape in which a first shaft insertion hole 243 b 1_1 into whichthe first rotating shaft 231 is inserted is formed in the centerportion. The first shaft insertion hole 243 b 1_1 may be formed in adirection perpendicular to a direction in which the coupling hole 243 b3_4 is opened (e.g., the x-axis or -x-axis direction). The size of thefirst shaft insertion hole 243 b 1_1 may be similar to or larger thanthe circumference of the first rotating shaft 231.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second shaftwing 243 b 2 may be disposed symmetrically with the first shaft wing 243b 1 with respect to the x-axis. For example, the second shaft wing 243 b2 may extend to one side of the shaft bracket body 243 b 3 (e.g., theedge in the -y-axis among the edges in the -x-axis), and may have a ringshape in which a second shaft insertion hole 243 b 2_1 into which thesecond rotating shaft 232 is inserted is formed in the center portion.The second shaft insertion hole 243 b 2_1 may be opened in the samedirection as the first shaft insertion hole 243 b 1_1. The size of thesecond shaft insertion hole 243 b 2_1 may be similar to or larger thanthe circumference of the second rotating shaft 232. The first shaft wing243 b 1 and the second shaft wing 243 b 2 may be disposed parallel toeach other on the y-axis.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cam member accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

Before description, the cam member illustrated in FIG. 12 may be atleast one of the first cam member 241 a disposed between the shaftbracket 243 b and the center bracket 243 a, or the second cam member 241b disposed between the center bracket 243 a and the stopper 236. In thefollowing, a description will be given based on the first cam member 241a.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 12 , the first cam member 241 a may include acam body 241 a 1_1, the first cam 241 a_1 a, the second cam 241 a_1 b, afirst cam hole 241 a_2 a, and a second cam hole 241 a_2 b. The cam body241_1 may have the first cam 241 a_1 a and the second cam 241 a_1 bdisposed at both side edges. The cam body 241 a_1 may be disposedbetween the center body 243 a 3 of the center bracket 243 a and theshaft bracket body 243 b_3 of the shaft bracket 243 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first cam 241a_1 a may have peaks and valleys arranged in the x-axis direction, and afirst cam hole 241a_2a may be formed in the center portion to allow thefirst rotating shaft 231 to pass through. The first cam 241 a-1 a may bedisposed to engage with the first cam structure 221_4 a of the first armpart 221. One side of the first elastic body 242 a may contact thesurface of the first cam 241 a_1 a in the -x-axis direction.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second cam 241a_1 b may be disposed in the same direction as the first cam 241 a_1 a,and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first cam 241 a_1 a bythe y-axis length of the cam body 241_1. The second cam 241 a_1 b may bedisposed to engage with the third cam structure 222_4 a of the secondarm part 222, and the second elastic body 242 b may contact the surfaceof the second cam 241 a_1 b in the -x-axis direction. The second camhole 241 a_2 b may be formed in the center portion of the second cam 241a_1 b such that the second rotating shaft 232 may be inserted therein.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first cam member241 a may be retreated in the -x-axis direction by the first camstructure 221_4 a and the second cam structure 221_4 b while the firstarm part 221 and the second arm part 222 are rotating within a certainangle range and then in the case of further rotation, the first cammember 241 a may be disposed such that the peaks and valleys of thefirst cam structure 221_4 a and the second cam structure 221_4 b of thefirst arm part 221 and the second arm part 222 are engaged, and in thisprocess, the first cam member 241 a may move in the x-axis direction dueto the elasticity of the first elastic body 242 a and the second elasticbody 242 b to return to its original position.

As mentioned above, according to various embodiments of the disclosure,the cam member illustrated in FIG. 12 may be the second cam member 241b. In this case, the third cam 241 b_1 a of the second cam member 241 bmay be disposed to engage with the second cam structure 221_4 b of thefirst arm part 221 and the fourth cam 241 b_1 b of the second cam member241 b may be disposed to engage with the fourth cam structure 222_4 b ofthe second arm part 222 while the first cam 241 a_1 a of the first cammember 241 a is disposed to engage with the first cam structure 221_4 aof the first arm part 221 and the second cam 241 a_1 b of the first cammember 241 a is disposed to engage with the third cam structure 222_4 aof the second arm part 222. In relation to the cam motion of the secondcam member 241 b, the third elastic body 242 c and the fourth elasticbody 242 d may provide an elastic force to the second cam member 241 b.

As described above, the cam structures and the cams engaging with thecam structures according to the embodiment of the disclosure may providea more rigid and stronger detent feeling by being disposed such that thetwo cam structures formed on the first arm part 221 and the two camstructures formed on the second arm part 222 are simultaneously engagedwith the two cam members 241 a and 241 b. Alternatively, the camstructures and cams engaging with the cam structures according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure may provide a more rigid andstronger detent feeling based on a stronger elastic force based on fourelastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242 d. In this process, aplurality of cam structures and cams may be provided, thereby providingimproved wear resistance for the cam motion process while providing ahigher hinge force (or detent capacity (or stronger detent capacity))without increasing the thickness or size.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of support rings accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the support rings 292_1 and 292_2 according to anembodiment of the disclosure may include the first support ring 292_1coupled with the first rotating shaft 231 and the second support ring292_2 coupled with the second rotating shaft 232.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first supportring 292_1 may include a first ring hole 292_1 b into which the firstrotating shaft 231 is inserted, and a first ring body 292_1 a formingthe first ring hole 292_1 b. The first ring body 292_1 a may have thefirst ring hole 292_1 b disposed in a center portion thereof, and may beprovided in a ring shape as a whole. The first ring body 292_1 a mayinclude a first support protrusion 292_1 c protruding from one side ofthe outer circumferential surface in the -y-axis direction. The firstsupport protrusion 292_1 c may have a shape (e.g., a triangular shape)in which the width becomes narrower as it moves away from the first ringbody 292_1 a. At least a portion of the upper surface (a surface facingtoward the z-axis) of the first support protrusion 292_1 c may be formedto be flat, and at least a portion of a lower cross-section (e.g., across-section cut in a direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis) mayinclude a curve. The first support protrusion 292_1 c may support oneside of the center bar 243 c while the first arm part 221 and the secondarm part 222 are disposed in parallel on the y-axis. The first ring hole292_1 b may have a cross-section the same as or similar to the z-axiscross-section of the first rotating shaft 231 (e.g., the cross-sectioncut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis). For example, thefirst ring hole 292_1 b may include a straight section in at least aportion of the z-axis cross-section (e.g., a cross-section cut in thedirection from the z-axis to the -z-axis), and a circular section in theremaining section. Alternatively, the first ring hole 292_1 b may have ashape in which straight sections and circular sections are alternatelydisposed in the z-axis cross-section (e.g., the cross-section cut in thedirection from the z-axis to the -z-axis). Accordingly, when the firstrotating shaft 231 rotates in one direction, the first support ring292_1 may rotate in the same direction as the first rotating shaft 231.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second supportring 292_2 may include a second ring hole 292_2 b into which the secondrotating shaft 232 is inserted, and a second ring body 292_2 a formingthe second ring hole 292_2 b. A second support protrusion 292_2 c may bedisposed on one side of the second ring body 292_2 a. The second ringhole 292_2 b may be provided to have a shape the same as or similar tothe first ring hole 292_1 b. Alternatively, the second ring hole 292_2 bmay be provided in a shape the same as or similar to the z-axiscross-section of the second rotating shaft 232 (e.g., the cross-sectioncut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis). The second ringbody 292_2 a may have a shape the same as or similar to the first ringbody 292_1 a. The second support protrusion 292_2 c may be disposed toprotrude from one side of the second ring body 292_2 a in the y-axisdirection. Similar to the first support protrusion 292_1 c, the secondsupport protrusion 292_2 c may be provided in a shape in which at leasta portion of the cross-section (e.g., the cross-section cut in thedirection from the z-axis to the -z-axis) gradually decreases in size(e.g., triangular shape). In the state in which the first arm part 221and the second arm part 222 are parallel to the y-axis (e.g., thedisplay of the electronic device is in the unfolded state), theprotruding tip of the second support protrusion 292_2 c may be disposedto face the protruding tip of the first support protrusion 292_1 c.Accordingly, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, thesecond support protrusion 292_2 c may support one side of the center bar243 c similar to the first support protrusion 292_1 c.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a first state of some components of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 3, and 14 , some components of theelectronic device 100 may include the first hinge structure 200 a andthe display 160, and the first hinge structure 200 a and the display 160may have a first state (e.g., the unfolded state). Before description,the drawing illustrated in FIG. 14 may correspond to the shape of thesecond hinge structure 200 b and the display 160 depending on theviewing angle.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first hingestructure 200 a may include the first rotating part 211, the secondrotating part 212, the fixing bracket 213, the first arm part 221, thesecond arm part 222, the first rotating shaft 231, the second rotatingshaft 232, the idle gears 233 and 234, the first cam member 241 a, thesecond cam member 241 b, the first elastic body 242 a, the secondelastic body 242 b, the third elastic body 242 c, the fourth elasticbody 242 d, the center bracket 243 a, and the shaft bracket 243 b. Thefirst rotating part 211 may be connected to the first arm part 221 viathe first fastening part 251. The second rotating part 212 may beconnected to the second arm part 222 via the second fastening part 252.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, while the firstrotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 maintain the unfoldedstate, the display 160 may maintain the unfolded state. The first armpart 221 may rotate within a specified angular range (e.g., a range of 0degrees to 100 degrees or 0 degrees to 95 degrees) about the firstrotating shaft 231. The second arm part 222 may rotate within aspecified angular range about the second rotating shaft 232. The firstrotating part 211 may rotate within the same or similar angular range asthe first arm part 221 about the third axis 13. The second rotating part212 may rotate within the range the same as or similar to that of thesecond arm part 222 about the fourth axis 14. The third axis 13 may beformed higher in a direction toward the display 160 (e.g., z-axisdirection) than the first rotating shaft 231. The fourth axis 14 may beformed higher in the direction toward the display 160 (e.g., z-axisdirection) than the second rotating shaft 232. The distance between thethird axis 13 and the fourth axis 14 may be shorter than the distancebetween the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third axis 13and the fourth axis 14 may be formed side-by-side on a horizontal axis(e.g., the y-axis). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, thethird axis 13 and the fourth axis 14 may be formed on the same layer asthe display 160, or above the display 160 (e.g., the air above thedisplay 160). For example, the third axis 13 and the fourth axis 14 maybe virtual axes.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, while the firstrotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 maintain the unfoldedstate, a first bracket body 211_1 of the first rotating part 211 and thesecond bracket body 212_1 of the second rotating part 212 may bearranged side-by-side. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, theupper surface of the first bracket body 211_1 and the upper surface ofthe second bracket body 212_1 may be arranged in the same way so as toface upward (e.g., the z-axis direction) based on the illustrateddrawing. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, while the firstrotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 maintain the unfoldedstate, the first arm part 221 and the second arm part 222 may bearranged side-by-side as well, and accordingly, a first basic body 221_1of the first arm part 221 and a second basic body 222_1 of the secondarm part 222 may be arranged to face in the same direction (e.g., thez-axis direction based on the illustrated drawing). Accordingly, thefirst bracket body 211_1, the second bracket body 212_1, the first basicbody 221_1, and the second basic body 222_1 may be all arrangedside-by-side based on the horizontal axis, and arranged to face upwardbased on the illustrated drawing. The first bracket body 211_1, thesecond bracket body 212_1, the first basic body 221_1, and the secondbasic body 222_1 may support the back surface of the display 160 withouta difference in height.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at the centerportion where the display 160 is bent, there may be formed apredetermined gap “Gap” with the hinge structures 200 a and 200 b. Anadhesive layer may be disposed between a peripheral region (e.g., thefirst portion 161 or the second portion 162) other than the centerportion 163 of the display 160 and the hinge structures 200 a and 200 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the first state(e.g., state in which the display 160 is unfolded), the peaks andvalleys of the first cam 241 a_1 a of the first cam member 241 a may bearranged to engage with the valleys and peaks of the first cam structure221_4 a, respectively, the peaks and valleys of the second cam 241 a_1 bof the first cam member 241 a may be arranged to engage with the valleysand peaks of the third cam structure 222_4 a, respectively, the peaksand valleys of the third cams 241 b_1 a of the second cam member 241 bmay be arranged to engage with the valleys and peaks of the second camstructure 221_4 b, and the peaks and valleys of the fourth cam 241 b_1 bof the second cam member 241 b may be disposed to engage with thevalleys and peaks of the fourth cam structure 222-4 b, respectively.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a first angular state of a partialstructure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 3, and 15 , the first hinge structure 200 a(or the second hinge structure 200 b) may include a first angular state(e.g., a state in which the upper surfaces of the first rotating part211 and the second rotating part 212 (surfaces in the z-axis direction)is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal axis (they-axis)). As described above, the first hinge structure 200 a mayinclude the first rotating part 211, the second rotating part 212, thefixing bracket 213, the first arm part 221, the second arm part 222, thefirst cam member 241 a, the second cam member 241 b, the first elasticbody 242 a, the second elastic body 242 b, the third elastic body 242 c,the fourth elastic body 242 d, the first rotating shaft 231, the secondrotating shaft 232, the center bracket 243 a, and the shaft bracket 243b. The first rotating part 211 may be connected to the first arm part221 via the first fastening part 251. The second rotating part 212 maybe connected to the second arm part 222 via the second fastening part252.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a first housing(e.g., the first housing 110 in FIGS. 1A to 1C) to which the firstrotating part 211 is fixed or a second housing (e.g., the second housing120 in FIGS. 1A to 1C) to which the second rotating part 212 is fixedmay rotate at a point on the horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis) by acertain angle (e.g., a certain unit angle such as 5 degrees, 10 degrees,or 15 degrees) in a direction toward the vertical axis (e.g., thez-axis) based on the illustrated drawing, due to external pressure. Forexample, the first rotating part 211 connected to the first housing 110may rotate by a first angle (e.g., 30 degrees) at one point on thehorizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis) about the third axis 13 in thedirection toward the vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis). If the firstrotating part 211 rotates by the first angle due to external pressure,the pressure may be transmitted to the first arm part 221 via the firstfastening part 251. Accordingly, the first arm part 221 may rotate onthe horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis) by the first angle about thefirst rotating shaft 231 in the direction toward the vertical axis(e.g., the z-axis). In this operation, the first cam structure 221_4 aand the second cam structure 221_4 b may rotate with the rotationaloperation of the first arm part 221. The first rotating shaft 231inserted into the first cam structure 221_4 a and the second camstructure 221_4 b may rotate by the force transmitted with the rotationof the first cam structure 221_4 a and the second cam structure 221_4 b,and as the first rotating shaft 231 rotates, a first shaft gear (e.g.,231_2 in FIG. 3 ) of the first rotating shaft 231 may rotate. With therotation of the first shaft gear, the first idle gear 233 and the secondidle gear 234 gear-coupled to the first shaft gear may rotate, and as aresult, the second shaft gear 232_2 connected to the second idle gear234 rotates, resulting in the rotation of the second rotating shaft 232.The third cam structure 222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 242_4 b mayrotate with the rotation of the second rotating shaft 232, the secondarm part 222 may rotate with the rotation of the third cam structure222_4 a and the fourth cam structure 222_4 b, and the second rotatingpart 212 connected via the second fastening part 252 may rotate with therotation of the second arm part 222. In the above description, theoperation of simultaneously rotating the second rotating part 212 whilethe external pressure is applied to the first rotating part 211 has beendescribed; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example,if an external pressure is applied to the second rotating part 212, thesecond arm part 222 connected via the second fastening part 252 mayrotate, and the second rotating shaft 232 connected to the second armpart 222, the second idle gear 234 connected to the second rotatingshaft 232, the first idle gear 233 connected to the second idle gear234, the first rotating shaft 231 connected to the first idle gear 233,the first arm part 221 having the first cam structure 221_4 a and thesecond cam structure 221_4 b connected to the first rotating shaft 231,and the first rotating part 211 connected to the first arm part 221 viathe first fastening part 251 may rotate. Alternatively, when pressure isapplied to the first rotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212from the outside at the same time, the first arm part 221 and the secondarm part 222 may rotate at a certain angle at the same time.

As described above, the first hinge structure 200 a may have a structurein which the first rotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212rotate at the same time with the pressure (or force) applied from theoutside. Accordingly, even if external pressure occurs in the secondhousing 120 to which the second rotating part 212 is connected, orsimultaneously occurs in the first housing 110 and the second housing120, the first rotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 mayrotate at the same time. In the electronic device 100 according to anembodiment of the disclosure, with the simultaneous rotation, torsion ofthe first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be suppressed, anda stable hinge operation may be performed.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the axes 13 and 14 of thefirst rotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 may be disposedbetween the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232of the first arm part 221 and the second arm part 222, and thus therotation amount of the first rotating part 211 and the rotation amountof the first arm part 221 may be different for each point of rotationtime. Accordingly, the upper surface of the first bracket body 211_1 ofthe first rotating part 211 may be rotated more about the vertical axis(e.g., the z-axis) than the upper surface of the basic body 221_1 of thefirst arm part 221. As the first rotating part 211 and the first armpart 221 are connected via the first fastening part 251, the firstfastening part 251 may slide along a first slide hole 211_2 of the firstrotating part 211 by a predetermined distance while the first rotatingpart 211 is rotating. Similarly, the upper surface of the second bracketbody 212_1 may be rotated more about the vertical axis (e.g., thez-axis) than the second basic body 222_1. Furthermore, as the secondrotating part 212 and the second arm part 222 are connected via thesecond fastening part 252, the second fastening part 252 may slide alonga second slide hole 212_2 of the second rotating part 212 by apredetermined distance while the second rotating part 212 is rotating.

As described above, in a state in which the display 160 of theelectronic device 100 is in the folded state at a specific angle (e.g.,the angle between the upper surface of the display 160 and thehorizontal axis is 30 degrees or -30 degrees), as the first arm part 221rotates, the slope close to the peak among the slopes between the peakand the valley of the first cam structure 221_4 a may be in contact withthe slope close to the peak among the slopes between the peak and valleyof the first cam 241 a_1 a of the first cam member 241 a, and the slopeclose to the peak among the slopes between the peak and valley of thesecond cam structure 221_4 b may be in contact with the slope close tothe peak among the slopes between the peak and valley of the third cam241 b_1 a of the second cam member 241 b. Similarly, as the second armpart 222 rotates, the slope close to the peak among the slopes betweenthe peak and the valley of the third cam structure 222_4 a may be incontact with the slope close to the peak among the slopes between thepeak and valley of the second cam 241 a_1 b of the first cam member 241a, and the slope close to the peak among the slopes between the peak andvalley of the fourth cam structure 222_4 b may be in contact with theslope close to the peak among the slopes between the peak and valley ofthe fourth cam 241 b_1 b of the second cam member 241 b.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a second angular state of a firsthinge structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 3, and 16 , the first hinge structure 200 amay include a second angular state. The first hinge structure 200 a may,for example, include the first rotating part 211, the second rotatingpart 212, the fixing bracket 213, the first arm part 221, the second armpart 222, a gear structure 230, the first cam member 241 a, the secondcam member 241 b, the first elastic body 242 a, the second elastic body242 b, the third elastic body 242 c, the fourth elastic body 242 d, thefirst rotating shaft 231, the second rotating shaft 232, the centerbracket 243 a, and the shaft bracket 243 b. The first rotating part 211may be connected to the first arm part 221 via the first fastening part251, and the second rotating part 212 may be connected to the second armpart 222 via the second fastening part 252.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a first housing(e.g., the first housing 110 in FIGS. 1A to 1C) or a second housing(e.g., the second housing 120 in FIGS. 1A to 1C) may rotate at a pointon the horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis) by a second angle (e.g., 60degrees) in the direction toward the vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis)based on the illustrated drawing, due to external pressure (or force).For example, when external pressure or force is transmitted to the firsthousing 110 or the second housing 120, the first rotating part 211 orthe second rotating part 212 may rotate by the second angle (e.g., 60degrees) at one point on the horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis) aboutthe third axis 13 or the fourth axis 14 in the direction toward thevertical axis (e.g., the z-axis). In the process of performing theabove-described operation, the applied force may be mutually transmittedthrough the first arm part 221 or the second arm part 222, the firstrotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232, and idle gears 233and 234, so that the first rotating part 211, the second rotating part212, the first arm part 221, and the second arm part 222 may rotate atthe same time.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, as the firstrotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 rotate at a secondangle, the first fastening part 251 and the second fastening part 252may slide in the first slide hole 211_2 and the second slide hole 212_2;in this case, the first fastening part 251 and the second fastening part252 may be positioned closer to the vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis)than in the case when they are rotated at the first angle. In theprocess of the above-described operation, based on the illustrateddrawing, the first rail 211_3 of the first rotating part 211 may rotatein a left-outward direction from the center of the fixing bracket 213,and the second rail 212_3 of the second rotating part 212 may rotate ina right-outward direction from the center of the fixing bracket 213. Asthe axes about which the first rotating part 211 and the first arm part221 rotate are different from each other and the axes about which thesecond rotating part 212 and the second arm part 222 rotate aredifferent from each other, the distance between the upper surface of thefirst bracket body 211_1 and the upper surface of the second bracketbody 212_1 may be disposed closer to the vertical axis (e.g., thez-axis) than the distance between the upper surface of the first basicbody 221_1 and the upper surface of the second basic body 222_1.

As described above, in a state in which the display 160 of theelectronic device 100 is in the folded state at a specific angle (e.g.,the angle between the upper surface of the display 160 and thehorizontal axis is 60 degrees or -60 degrees), as the first arm part 221rotates, at least a portion of the peak of the first cam structure 221_4a may be in contact with at least a portion of the peak of the first cam241 a_1 a of the first cam member 241 a, and at least a portion of thepeak of the second cam structure 221_4 b may be in contact with the peakof the third cam 241 b_1 a of the second cam member 241 b. Similarly, asthe second arm part 222 rotates, at least a portion of the peak of thethird cam structure 222_4 a may be in contact with the peak of thesecond cam 241 a_1 b of the first cam member 241 a, and at least aportion of the peak of the fourth cam structure 222_4 b may be incontact with the peak of the fourth cam 241 b_1 b of the second cammember 241 b.

In the above description, in the first angular state, the slope adjacentto the peak of the cam structure has been described as being in contactwith the slope adjacent to the peak of the cam, and in the secondangular state, at least a portion of the peak of the cam structure hasbeen described as being in contact with the peak of the cam; however,the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronicdevice 100 may have a more various angular states (e.g., the anglebetween the upper surface of one side of the display and the horizontalaxis is a free stop due to friction between the cam structure and thecam, or varies, such as a one-degree unit, a five-degree unit, or 15degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or the like), and for eachangular state, a portion where the slope between the peak and valley ofthe cam structure and the slope between the peak and the valley of thecam are brought into contact with each other may be different.Alternatively, for each angular state, the size of the area in which thepeak of the cam structure and the peak of the cam are brought intocontact with each other may be different.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a second state of some parts of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 3, and 17 , the electronic device 100 mayinclude the first hinge structure 200 a and the display 160. The secondstate of the first hinge structure 200 a may include the folded state.The first hinge structure 200 a may include, for example, the fixingbracket 213, the first rotating part 211, the second rotating part 212,the first arm part 221, the second arm part 222, the first fasteningpart 251, the second fastening part 252, the first rotating shaft 231,the second rotating shaft 232, shaft gears of the first rotating shaft231 and the second rotating shaft 232, idle gears 233 and 234, the firstcam member 241 a, the second cam member 241 b, the first elastic body242 a, the second elastic body 242 b, the third elastic body 242 c, thefourth elastic body 242 d, the center bracket 243 a, and the shaftbracket 243 b.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first rotating part211 and the second rotating part 212 may be disposed to face each other.As the edge ends of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120(e.g., the end in the z-axis direction based on FIG. 17 ) are disposedadjacent to each other based on the illustrated drawing, the firstrotating part 211 may be disposed to be parallel to a vertical axis(e.g., z-axis), or may be disposed to rotate about the third axis 13 andbe disposed to be further tilted by a specified angle from the verticalaxis (e.g., the z-axis) toward the -y-axis direction, in the illustrateddrawing. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, similar tothe first rotating part 211, the second rotating part 212 may bedisposed to be parallel to the vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis) or torotate about the fourth axis 14, but may be disposed to be furthertilted by a specified angle from the vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis)toward the y-axis direction. The third axis 13 may be, for example, arotational central axis of the first rail 211_3, and the fourth axis 14may be a rotational central axis of the second rail 212_3. The first armpart 221 may rotate about the first rotating shaft 231 to be disposed inparallel with the first rotating part 211, and the second arm part 222may rotate about the second rotating shaft 232 to be disposed inparallel with the rotating part 212. Accordingly, the display 160 may bebent in a “U” shape in the center portion 163, and the remaining regionof the display 160 may maintain a flat state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the upper surface ofthe first bracket body 211_1 of the first rotating part 211 and theupper surface of the basic body 221_1 of the first arm part 221 may bearranged side-by-side without a difference in height by arranging thefirst rotating part 211 and the first arm part 221 vertically (tilted bya specified angle from a vertical axis (e.g., z-axis) toward the -y-axisdirection). Due to the difference in length between the first rotatingpart 211 and the first arm part 221, the first fastening part 251 may bepositioned under the first slide hole 211_2 of the first rotating part211 (e.g., the edge in the -z-axis direction with respect to FIG. 17 ).According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the electronicdevice 100 is in the unfolded state, the first fastening part 251 may bepositioned at an upper edge of the first slide hole 211_2 of the firstrotating part 211. Similarly, when the electronic device 100 is in thefolded state, the second fastening part 252 may be positioned at a loweredge of the second slide hole 212_2.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in a state in whichthe display 160 of the electronic device 100 is folded (e.g., a state inwhich the center portion of the display 160 is transformed into aU-shape), an arrangement may be provided in which, as the first arm part221 rotates, the peaks and valleys of the first cam structure 221_4 aengage with the valleys and peaks of the first cam 241 a_1 a of thefirst cam member 241 a, and the peaks and valleys of the second camstructure 221_4 b engage with the valleys and peaks of the third cam 241b_1 a of the second cam member 241 b. Similarly, an arrangement may beprovided in which, as the second arm part 222 rotates, the peaks andvalleys of the third cam structure 222_4 a engage with the valleys andthe peaks of the second cams 241 a_1 b of the first cam member 241 a,and the peaks and valleys of the fourth cam structure 222_4 b engagewith the valleys and peaks of the fourth cam 241 b_1 b of the second cammember 241 b.

The electronic device 100 according to the various embodiments of thedisclosure described above may increase the detent load of the hinge byimplementing a plurality of cam structures without increasing thethickness of the hinge structure. The electronic device 100 may improvethe issue in the folded or unfolded state of the terminal in a roomtemperature or low temperature environment (e.g., an issue in which theends of the housings 110 and 120 get opened in the folded state) byusing the increased detent load of the hinge structure even if thereaction force (or the repulsive force, or the force to unfold thefolded display) of the display 160 (or the flexible display) isincreased. The electronic device 100 may allow an increase in thereaction force of the display 160 through the improved detent load,thereby increasing the rigidity of the display 160 (e.g., applicable tomanufacture the display 160 to be thicker than before), and accordingly,it is possible to reduce the occurrence of cracks or surface damage inthe portion where the load caused by the folding is concentrated in thefolded state (e.g., the center portion 163 of the display 160).

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of another type of a thirdhinge structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 19 is a perspective view in a first direction illustrating anexample of a coupled state of a third cam member, a fifth cam structure,and a sixth cam structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view in a second direction illustrating anexample of a coupled state of the third cam member, the fifth camstructure, and the sixth cam structure according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating coupled states of the fifth camstructure and a first rotating shaft, and the sixth cam structure and asecond rotating shaft according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Before description, the third hinge structure may be disposed as areplacement for at least one of the first hinge structure 200 a and thesecond hinge structure 200 b described above with reference to FIG. 1A.Alternatively, the third hinge structure may be additionally disposed inthe electronic device employing the first hinge structure 200 a and thesecond hinge structure 200 b. For example, based on FIG. 1A, a thirdhinge structure 200 c may be further disposed between the first hingestructure 200 a and the second hinge structure 200 b.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 3, 18, and 21 , the third hinge structure200 c according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include therotating parts 211 and 212, the fixing bracket 213, the arm parts 221and 222, the first rotating shaft 231, the second rotating shaft 232,the first cam member 241 a, the second cam member 241 b, a third cammember 241 c, the first elastic body 242 a, the second elastic body 242b, the third elastic body 242 c, the fourth elastic body 242 d, a fifthcam structure 221_4 c, a sixth cam structure 222_4 c, the center bracket243 a, and the shaft bracket 243 b. Additionally, the third hingestructure 200 c may include the stopper 236, the rotating shaft supportmember 235, the idle gears 233 and 234, and the fastening parts (e.g.,251 and 252 in FIG. 3 ) connecting the arm parts 221 and 222 and therotating parts 211 and 212, which are described in FIG. 3 . In addition,fixing clips may be respectively inserted into an end of the firstrotating shaft 231 in the -x-axis direction and an end of the secondrotating shaft 232 in the -x-axis direction to fix the shaft bracket 243b such that the first rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft232 do not deviate in the -x-axis direction.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third hingestructure 200 c may have configurations as the same as or similar tothose described with reference to FIG. 3 , except for the fifth camstructure 221_4 c, the sixth cam structure 222_4 c, and the third cammember 241 c. Accordingly, in the following, the third hinge structure200 c will be described based on the third cam member 241 c, the fifthcam structure 221_4 c, and the sixth cam structure 222_4 c.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third cam member241 c may include a cam body 241 c_1, a fifth cam 241 c_1 a, and a sixthcam 241 c_1 b. The third cam member 241 c may have the same shape andsize as the first cam member 241 a or the second cam member 241 bdescribed above, except for a disposition direction. The fifth cam 241c_1 a and the sixth cam 241 c_1 b may have structures the same as orsimilar to those of the first cam 241 a_1 a and the second cam 241 a_1 bdescribed in FIG. 12 . For example, the fifth cam 241 c_1 a and thesixth cam 241 c_1 b may have holes in the center portions into which thefirst rotating shaft 231 and the second rotating shaft 232 are inserted,and a protruding structure including peaks and valleys in the -x-axisdirection. The fifth cam 241 c_1 a may be disposed such that its peaksand valleys engage with the peaks and valleys of the fifth cam structure221_4 c faced therewith. Similarly, the sixth cam 241 c_1 b may bedisposed such that its peaks and valleys engage with the peaks andvalleys of the sixth cam structure 222_4 c faced therewith. Holes formedin the center portions of the fifth cam 241 c_1 a and the sixth cam 241c_1 b may be provided in a circular shape to maintain the disposed stateregardless of the rotation of the first rotating shaft 231 and thesecond rotating shaft 232.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fifth camstructure 221_4 c may be disposed between the shaft bracket 243 b andthe fifth cam 241 c_1 a. The fifth cam structure 221_4 c may include afirst cam structure body 221_4 c 2, a third cam hole 221_4 c 1 that isformed in the center portion of the first cam structure body 221_4 c 2and into which the first rotating shaft 231 is to be inserted, and afirst support part 221_4 c 3 disposed on one side of the first camstructure body 221_4 c 2. The first cam structure body 221_4 c 2 mayhave an overall ring shape having a predetermined thickness. Peaks andvalleys may be continuously arranged on one surface of the first camstructure body 221_4 c 2 in the x-axis direction, and one surface in the-x-axis direction may include at least partially a flat surface. Thesize of the z-axis cross-section of the first cam structure body 221_4 c2 (e.g., a cross-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the-z-axis) may be similar to that of the z-axis cross-section (e.g., across-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis) ofthe third cam 241 b_1 a. The third cam hole 221_4 c 1 may be formed tobe the same as or similar to at least a portion of a z-axiscross-section (e.g., a cross-section cut in the direction from thez-axis to the -z-axis) of the first rotating shaft 231. For example, thethird cam hole 221_4 c 1 may include sections corresponding to thecurved section and the straight section of the first rotating shaft 231.Accordingly, when the first rotating shaft 231 rotates, the fifth camstructure 221_4 c may rotate in response to the rotation of the firstrotating shaft 231. The fifth cam structure 221_4 c may perform thedetent operation based on the elastic force applied from the firstelastic body 242 a and the fifth cam 241 c_1 a in a state of beingengaged with the fifth cam 241 c_1 a while the first rotating shaft 231is rotating. For example, the first elastic body 242 a may exert anelastic force in the -x-axis direction, and the elastic force may beused to press the fifth cam 241 c_1 a and the fifth cam structure 221_4c in the coupled state. In this operation, if the rotation of the firstrotating shaft 231 occurs, the fifth cam structure 221_4 c may rotatewith the rotation of the first rotating shaft 231, and the detentoperation may be performed while the peaks and valleys of the fifth camstructure 221_4 c move out of alignment with the peaks and valleys ofthe fifth cam 241 c_1 a. The first support part 221_4 c 3 may protrudefrom one side of the first cam structure body 221_4 c 2 in the -y-axisdirection and may have a shape (e.g., a triangular or cone-shapedcross-section) in which the size of a cross-section (e.g., m across-section cut in the direction from the z-axis to the -z-axis)gradually decreases as the distance from the first cam structure body221_4 c 2 increases. At least a portion of the upper surface of thefirst support part 221_4 c 3 with respect to the z-axis may be formed tobe flat. The first support part 221_4 c 3 may support, for example, thecenter bar 243 c described in FIG. 3 . If the fifth cam structure 221_4c is applied, the support rings described in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, like the fifth camstructure 221_4 c, the sixth cam structure 222_4 c may include a secondcam structure body 222_4 c 2, a fourth cam hole 222_4 c 1 into which thesecond rotating shaft 232 is to be inserted, and a second support part222_4 c 3. The second cam structure body 222_4 c 2 may have aconfiguration the same as or similar to that of the first cam structurebody 221_4 c 2 of the fifth cam structure 221_4 c described above, wherethe fourth cam hole 222_4 c 1 may correspond to the third cam hole 221_4c 1, and the second support part 222_4 c 3 may correspond to the firstsupport part 221_4 c 3 described above. The sixth cam structure 222_4 cdescribed above may rotate in response to the rotation of the secondrotating shaft 232.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third hingestructure 200 c having the above-described structure may provide thehinge force (or detent feeling) due to the elasticity by the firstelastic body 242 a while rotating such that the peaks and valleys of thefifth cam 241 c_1 a engage with or deviate from the peaks and valleys ofthe fifth cam structure 221_4 c in response to the rotation of at leastone of the first rotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212. Inaddition, the third hinge structure 200 c having the above-describedstructure may provide the detent feeling due to the elasticity by thesecond elastic body 242 b while rotating such that the peaks and valleysof the sixth cam 241 c_1 b engage with or deviate from the peaks andvalleys of the sixth cam structure 222_4 c in response to the rotationof at least one of the first rotating part 211 and the second rotatingpart 212. Additionally, in a state in which the first cam structure221_4 a disposed on the first arm part 221 is disposed to engage withthe first cam 241 a_1 a of the first cam member 241 a, the third hingestructure 200 c performs the cam motion with the rotation of the firstrotating shaft 231, and in a state in which the second cam structure221_4 b disposed on the first arm part 221 is disposed to engage withthe third cam 241 b_1 a of the second cam member 241 b, the third hingestructure 200 c performs the cam motion with the rotation of the firstrotating shaft 231. Additionally, in a state in which the third camstructure 222_4 a disposed on the second arm part 222 is disposed toengage with the second cam 241 a_1 b of the first cam member 241 a, thethird hinge structure 200 c performs the cam motion with the rotation ofthe second rotating shaft 232, and in a state in which the fourth camstructure 222_4 b disposed on the second arm part 222 is disposed toengage with the fourth cam 241 b_1 b of the second cam member 241 b, thethird hinge structure 200 c performs the cam motion with the rotation ofthe second rotating shaft 232. As described above, in the third hingestructure 200 c according to an embodiment of the disclosure, aplurality of (e.g., six) cams disposed on the third cam member engagewith the cam structures, distributing pressure as well as providing amore robust detent operation, thereby making it possible to reduce wearof the cams and cam structures.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fourth hinge structureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating in more detail the fourth cam memberand the fifth cam member illustrated in FIG. 22 according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a point of time of cam motion of thefourth cam member and the fifth cam member according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, 3, 22, and 23 , a fourth hinge structure200 d according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the firstrotating part 211, the second rotating part 212, the first arm part 221,the second arm part 222, a fourth cam member 241 d, a fifth cam member241 e, the center bracket 243 a, the shaft bracket 243 b, the firstrotating shaft 231, the second rotating shaft 232, the first elasticbody 242 a, the second elastic body 242 b, the third elastic body 242 c,and the fourth elastic body 242 d. In the above-described structure,except for the fourth cam member 241 d and the fifth cam member 241 e,the remaining configurations may be the same as or similar to theconfigurations described in FIG. 3 above.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fourth cammember 241 d may include a cam body 241 d_1, a seventh cam 241 d_1 a,and an eighth cam 241 d_1 b. In the seventh cam 241 d_1 a, for example,three peaks and three valleys may be alternately arranged with eachother, and similarly, in the eighth cam 241 d_1 b, three peaks and threevalleys may be alternately arranged with each other. A cam hole intowhich the first rotating shaft 231 is to be inserted may be formed inthe center portion of the seventh cam 241 d_1 a, and a cam hole intowhich the second rotating shaft 232 is to be inserted may also be formedin the center portion of the eighth cam. The slope of the peaks in theseventh cam 241 d_1 a and the eighth cam 241 d_1 b may form a firstangle A1 to a horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis), and the height of thepeaks may be a first height H1. According to various embodiments of thedisclosure, a flat width of the valleys (or a flat width of the peaks)of the seventh cams 241 d_1 a and the eighth cams 241 d_1 b may be afirst width B1.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fifth cam member241 e may include a cam body 241 e_1, a ninth cam 241 e_1 a, and a tenthcam 241 e_1 b. In the ninth cam 241 e_1 a, for example, three peaks andthree valleys may be alternately arranged with each other, andsimilarly, in the tenth cam 241 e_1 b, three peaks and three valleys maybe alternately arranged with each other. A cam hole into which the firstrotating shaft 231 is to be inserted may be formed in the center portionof the ninth cam 241 e_1 a, and a cam hole into which the secondrotating shaft 232 is to be inserted may also be formed in the centerportion of the tenth cam 241 e_1 b. The slope of the peaks in the ninthcam 241 e_1 a and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b may form a second angle A2 toa horizontal axis (e.g., the y-axis), and the height of the peaks may bea second height H2. According to various embodiments of the disclosure,a flat width of the valleys (or a flat width of the peaks) of the ninthcams 241 e_1 a and the tenth cams 241 e_1 b may be a second width B2.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the firstheight H1 and the second height H2, the first angle A1 and the secondangle A2, and the first width B1 and the second width B2 may be designeddifferently. For example, a design may be produced such that the firstheight H1 is different from the second height H2 and the first angle A1and the second angle A2 and the first width B1 and the second width B2are the same. Alternatively, a design may be produced such that thefirst angle A1 (e.g., 45 degrees) is different from the second angle A2(e.g., 55 degrees) and the first height H1 and the second height H2 andthe first width B1 and the second width B2 are the same.

Referring to FIG. 24 , in the fourth hinge structure 200 d having thestructure described above, the fourth cam member 241 d and the fifth cammember 241 e are formed differently, and thus while the first rotatingpart 211 and the second rotating part 212 are rotating, a point of timeat which the fourth cam member 241 d and the cam structures reach theapex (e.g., peak point) or the size of the contact area of the peaks(e.g., the point of time at which a peak contact a peak, or the size ofthe surface where the peak of the fourth cam member 241 d contacts thepeak of the cam structure) may be different from a point of time atwhich the fifth cam member 241 e and the cam structures reach the apexor the size of the contact area of the peaks. For example, the slopes ofthe peaks formed on the fourth cam member 241 d may be brought intocontact with the slopes of the peaks of the cam structures (e.g., thecam structures of the first arm part 221 and the second arm part 222)relatively earlier compared to the fifth cam member 241 e, and then theslopes of the peaks of the fifth cam member 241 e may be brought intocontact with the slopes of the peaks of other cam structures of thefirst arm part 221 and the second arm part 222. If the start of peakpoints of the fourth cam member 241 d and the fifth cam member 241 e isthe same and the flat regions of the peaks of the fourth cam member 241d and the fifth cam member 241 e are the same, the sections in which thepeak points are formed may be the same. If the first rotating part 211and the second rotating part 212 continue to rotate, the departure ofthe peak point of the fifth cam member 241 e may start first, and thenthe departure of the peak point of the fourth cam member 241 d maybegin.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the fourth cammember 241 d, the angle A1 of the seventh cam 241 d_1 a and the eighthcam 241 d_1 b may be set to be 45 degrees and the height H1 of theseventh cam 241 d_1 a and the eighth cam 241 d_1 b may be set to be 0.8mm, and in the fifth cam member 241 e, the angle A2 of the ninth cam 241e_1 a and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b may be set to be 55 degrees and theheight H2 of the ninth cam 241 e_1 a and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b may beset to be 0.8 mm. Since the height H1 of the seventh cam 241 d_1 a andthe eighth cam 241 d_1 b and the height H2 of the ninth cam 241 e_1 aand the tenth cam 241 e_1 b are the same and the angle A1 of the seventhcam 241 d_1 a and the eighth cam 241 d_1 b and the angle A2 of the ninthcam 241 e_1 a and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b are different, a lengthdifference may occur between a plane length B1 of the seventh cam 241d_1 a and the eighth cam 241 d_1 b and a plane length B2 of the ninthcam 241 e_1 a and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b. At the starting point of thecam operation of the electronic device 100, a difference between pointsof time when the cam operations of the fourth cam member 241 d and thefifth cam member 241 e start may occur, which may be caused by thedifference in the plane lengths of the cams 241 d_1 a, 241 d_1 b, 241e_1 a, and the 241 e_1 b. Accordingly, springs of the ninth cam 241 e_1a and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b are released from the maximum compressionstate, and then springs of the seventh cam 241 d_1 a and the eighth cam241 d_1 b are released from the maximum compression state. In addition,since the heights H1 and H2 are the same at the cam operation completionpoint of the fourth cam member 241 d and the fifth cam member 241 e, thesprings of the seventh cam 241 d_1 a, the eighth cam 241 d_1 b, theninth cam 241 e_1 a, and the tenth cam 241 e_1 b are operated in thesame compression state. Through the operation of this process, the hingeforce (or detent load) is increased and the load at the starting pointof the operation is distributed, and thus it is possible to give asmooth feeling of operation.

As described above, in the fourth hinge structure 200 d according to anembodiment of the disclosure, the peak points of cam motions occurringwhile the first rotating part 211 and the second rotating part 212 arerotating are formed differently from each other, and thus it is possibleto provide a softer hinge force (or detent feeling).

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fifth hinge structureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 25 , a fifth hinge structure 200 e mayinclude the rotating parts 211 and 212, the fixing bracket 213, the armparts 221 and 222, the idle gears 233 and 234, the first rotating shaft231, the second rotating shaft 232, a rotating shaft support member 235a, an integrated cam member 2500, the center bracket 243 a, the shaftbracket 243 b, a plurality of elastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and242 d. In addition, as described above in FIG. 3 , the fifth hingestructure 200 e may further include fastening parts connecting the armparts 221 and 222 and the rotating parts 211 and 212, and a plurality offixing clips for fixing the fastening parts and the first rotating shaft231 and the second rotating shaft 232. In the above-described structure,except for the integrated cam member 2500, the remaining configurationsmay be the same as or similar to the configurations described in FIGS. 3and 4 above.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the integrated cammember 2500 may further include the first cam 241 a_1 a disposed toengage with the first cam structure 221_4 a formed on the first arm part221, the second cam 241 a_1 b disposed to engage with the third camstructure 222_4 a formed on the second arm part 222, the third cam 241b_1 a disposed to engage with the second cam structure 221_4 b formed onthe first arm part 221, the fourth cam 241 b_1 b disposed to engage withthe fourth cam structure 222_4 b formed on the second arm part 222, andbridges 2500 a and 2500 b for connecting the first cam 241 a_1 a, thesecond cam 241 a_1 b, the third cam 241 b_1 a, and the fourth cam 241b_1 b. The integrated cam member 2500 may be described as aconfiguration in which the first cam member 241 a and the second cammember 241 b, which have been described above in FIG. 3 , and bridges2500 a and 2500 b for connecting one side of the first cam member 241 aand one side of the second cam member 241 b are further included. Thebridges 2500 a and 2500 b may include a first portion 2500 b forconnecting one side of the first cam 241 a_1 a and one side of the thirdcam 241 b_1 a, and a second portion 2500 a for connecting one side ofthe second cam 241 a_1 b and one side of the fourth cam 241 b_1 b. Holesmay be formed in the center portion of the bridges 2500 a and 2500 bsuch that the center bracket 243 a may be exposed to the outside. Thehole formed in the center bracket 243 a and the boss disposed in thehinge housing 150 may be coupled through the holes formed in the centerportion of the bridges 2500 a and 2500 b.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the four cams 241a_1 b, 241 a_1 a, 241 b_1 b, and 241 b_1 a are fixed by the bridges 2500a and 2500 b (or the first portion 2500 a and the second portion 2500 band cam bodies), the fifth hinge structure 200 e having the structure asdescribed above may be more rigidly fixed while the first rotating shaft231 and the second rotating shaft 232 are rotating. Accordingly, the camstructures 221_4 a, 221_4 b, 222_4 a, and 222_4 b disposed on the firstarm part 221 and the second arm part 222 may perform the cam motion morestably without distortion (distortion due to cam motions between camsand cam structures occurring differently for each position), through theintegrated cam member 2500 fixed more rigidly. For example, theelectronic device 100 described above may increase the detent load onlyby adding the spring without increasing the number of cam components,which makes it possible to reduce the number of components, reducemanagement items related to cams, and reduce the cost of componentsrelated to cams.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sixth hinge structureaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26 , a sixth hinge structure 200 f may includethe rotating parts 211 and 212, the fixing bracket 213, the arm parts221 and 222, a first rotating shaft 2310, a second rotating shaft 2320,a rotating shaft support member 235 b, the integrated cam member 2500,the center bracket 243 a, the shaft bracket 243 b, and a plurality ofelastic bodies 242 a, 242 b, 242 c, and 242 d. In addition, as describedabove in FIG. 25 , the sixth hinge structure 200 f may further includefastening parts connecting the arm parts 221 and 222 and the rotatingparts 211 and 212, and a plurality of fixing clips for fixing thefastening parts and the first rotating shaft 2310 and the secondrotating shaft 2320. The sixth hinge structure 200 f may have the sameor similar shape compared with the fifth hinge structure 200 e of FIG.25 , except for the gear structure. For example, in the sixth hingestructure 200 f, the idle gears 233 and 234 and the shaft gear, whichhave been disposed on the fifth hinge structure 200 e, may be removed.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the sixth hingestructure 200 f, the first rotating shaft 2310 and the second rotatingshaft 2320 may have a shape in which the shaft gear 232_2 described inFIG. 8 is removed. The rotating shaft support member 235 b may serve tosupport the first rotating shaft 2310 and the second rotating shaft 2320so as not to deviate from the fixing bracket 213.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the sixth hingestructure 200 f having the structure as described above may provide astable folded or unfolded state of the electronic device 100 evenwithout employing the separate gear structure (e.g., idle gears and agear unit disposed on the rotating shaft). For example, in the sixthhinge structure 200 f based on the integrated cam member 2500,distortion (e.g., distortion between the first rotating part 211 and thefirst arm part 221 and the second rotating part 212 and the second armpart 222) does not occur even if the first rotating part 211 and thefirst arm part 221 and the second rotating part 212 and the second armpart 222 rotate separately, which makes it possible to stably providefolding, unfolding at a specified angle, and an unfolded state. When thecam in contact with the arm part to rotate moves, it moves all the camsbackwards, and the cam in contact with the fixed arm is also moved tothe rear without distortion, accordingly.

FIG. 27A is a diagram illustrating another example of a cam shapeaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 27B is a diagram illustrating an example of a contact state of somepeaks of a cam and a cam structure according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Before description, a cam 2400 a according to an embodiment of thedisclosure may be applied to at least one of the cams or cam structuresdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 to 26 .

Referring to FIG. 27A, the cam 2400 a (or cam structure) according to anembodiment of the disclosure may include a cam support part B0, aplurality of peaks M1, M2, and M3, and a plurality of valleys V1 and V2.In the illustrated drawing, the cam 2400 a including three peaks M1, M2,and M3 and three valleys V1 and V2 (a valley covered by the first peakM1 not shown) is presented; however, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. For example, the cam 2400 a may have a structure including twoor more peaks and valleys. All of the plurality of peaks M1, M2, and M3may have the same structure. Alternatively, at least one of theplurality of peaks M1, M2, and M3 may have a different shape from otherpeaks. For example, at least one peak may have a structure in which asecond portion P2 corresponding to the center of the peak has a certaininclination angle (inclination angle greater than 0 degrees, forexample, about 5 degrees), as illustrated, and at least one of theremaining peaks may have a structure in which the central part of thepeak is flat.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, as illustrated, at leastone of the plurality of peaks M1, M2, and M3, for example, the firstpeak M1 may include a first portion P1 having a first inclination angleas1, the second portion P2 having a second inclination angle as2, and athird portion P3 having a third inclination angle as3. One side of thefirst portion P1 (e.g., the end of the -y-axis) may be disposed to beconnected to one side of the first valley V1 (e.g., the end of they-axis), and the other side of the first portion P1 (e.g., the end ofthe y-axis) may be disposed to be connected to one side (e.g., the endof the -y-axis) of the second portion P2. The first portion P1 may be aridge having the first inclination angle as1 with respect to the y-axis.The first inclination angle as1 may include an acute angle smaller than90 degrees in a direction from the -y-axis to the y axis, with respectto the x-axis.

One side of the second portion P2 (e.g., the end of the -y-axis) may bedisposed to be connected to the other side of the first portion P1(e.g., the end of the y-axis), and the other side of the second portionP2 (e.g., the end of the y-axis) may be disposed to be connected to oneside (e.g., the end of the -y-axis) of the third portion P3. The secondportion P2 may be disposed to protrude further along the x-axis than thefirst portion P1 and the third portion P3. A boundary region between thefirst portion P1 and the second portion P2 may be rounded at adesignated first curvature R1. The second portion P2 may have the secondinclination angle as2 with respect to the y-axis. The second inclinationangle as2 may include an acute angle smaller than 90 degrees in thedirection from the -y-axis to the y-axis with respect to the x-axis, andthe absolute value of the second inclination angle as2 may be smallerthan the absolute value of the first inclination angle as1.

One side of the third portion P3 (e.g., the end of the -y-axis) may bedisposed to be connected to the other side of the second portion P2(e.g., the end of the y-axis), and the other side of the third portionP3 (e.g., the end of the y-axis) may be disposed to be connected to oneside (e.g., the end of the -y-axis) of the second valley V2. The thirdportion P3 may be formed to have a predetermined inclination inclinedtoward the y-axis in the second portion P2. A boundary region betweenthe second portion P2 and the third portion P3 may be rounded at adesignated second curvature R2. The second curvature R2 may have a valuesmaller than the first curvature R1 (e.g., the first curvature R1 issmoother than the second curvature R2). The third portion P3 may havethe third inclination angle as3 with respect to the -y-axis. The thirdinclination angle as3 may include an acute angle smaller than 90 degreesin a direction from the y-axis to the -y-axis with respect to thex-axis, and the absolute value of the third inclination angle as3 may begreater than the absolute value of the second inclination angle as2.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the absolute valueof the third inclination angle as3 may be equal to or greater than theabsolute value of the first inclination angle as1.

Referring to FIG. 27B, the cam shape described in FIG. 27A may beapplied to at least one cam or at least one cam structure describedabove in FIGS. 2 to 26 . For example, in the illustrated drawing, theprotrusion of the cam 2400 a may be disposed to protrude in a directionfrom the x-axis to the -x-axis, and the protrusion of the cam structure2400 b may be disposed to protrude in a direction from the -x-axis tothe x-axis. Alternatively, the uneven portion of the cam 2400 a and theuneven portion of the cam structure 2400 b may be disposed to face eachother. At least a portion of a second portion 2400 a_P2 of the cam 2400a and at least a portion of a second portion 2400 b_P2 of the camstructure 2400 b may be brought into contact with each other asillustrated during a free-stop section (a section of getting held in aspecified angular range by friction between the cam 2400 a and the camstructure 2400 b) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 100of FIG. 2 ). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when theelectronic device has the free-stop state described in FIG. 15 or FIG.16 , a display (display 160 of FIG. 1A or FIG. 2 ) may exert a repulsiveforce for restoring the electronic device to the unfolded state (thestate of FIG. 14 ).

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the cam 2400 a may bepushed in the y-axis direction by the restoring force of the display(e.g., the repulsive force of the display acts in the counterclockwisedirection), and the cam structure 2400 b may be pushed in the -y-axisdirection by the restoring force of the display (e.g., the repulsiveforce of the display acts in the clockwise direction). In this process,since the second portion 2400 a_P2 of the cam 2400 a and the secondportion 2400 b_P2 of the cam structure 2400 b come into contact witheach other at the second inclination angle as2 described above, the cam2400 a and the cam structure 2400 b according to the disclosure at leastpartially cancels the repulsive force (or restoring force) generated inthe unfolding direction of the display, which makes it possible tosuppress the push in the free-stop state that may occur regardless ofthe intention of the user (e.g., the angle between the first housing(e.g., the first housing 110 in FIGS. 1A to 1C or FIG. 2 ) and thesecond housing (e.g., the second housing 120 in FIGS. 1A to 1C or FIG. 2) is changed). According to various embodiments of the disclosure, asillustrated in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16 , the electronic device may have aholding state (or a free-stop state) at a specific angle. In this case,in the electronic device, the cam 2400 a and the cam structure 2400 bmay be arranged to engage with each other as illustrated, which makes itto cancel a force acting for the unfolded state as illustrated in FIG.14 , such as the repulsive force or the restoring force of the display.In FIG. 27B, both the cam 2400 a and the cam structure 2400 b areillustrated as having a structure in which the top portion of the peakhas the second inclination angle as2; however, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the second portion P2 having the secondinclination angle as2 may be formed only on either the cam 2400 a or thecam structure 2400 b.

With respect to the unfolding direction rotation, in FIG. 27B, the cam2400 a has been described based on the direction in which the cam 2400 arotates from the -y-axis (or left) to the y-axis (or right); however,the disclosure is limited thereto. For example, the direction in whichthe cam 2400 a rotates from the direction from the y-axis to the -y-axisaccording to the design style of the electronic device may be adirection in which the display is operated from the folded state to theunfolded state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device(or portable electronic device, portable communication device, foldableelectronic device, foldable electronic device having a communicationfunction, or the like) may include a housing including a first housing110 and a second housing 120, hinge structures 200 a and 200 baccommodated in the housing and connected to the first housing and thesecond housing; and a flexible display 160 disposed over the firsthousing, the hinge structure (or hinge part, hinge unit, hinge module,hinge device, or the like) and the second housing. The hinge structure200 a may include a first rotating shaft 231 rotating about a first axis11, a second rotating shaft 232 rotating about a second axis 12, a firstarm part 221 including a first cam structure 221_4 a and a second camstructure 221_4 b connected to the first rotating shaft, a second armpart 222 including a third cam structure 222_4 a and a fourth camstructure 222_4 b connected to the second rotating shaft; a firstrotating part 211 connected to the first arm part and rotating about athird axis 13, a second rotating part 212 connected to the second armpart and rotating about a fourth axis 14, a first cam member 241 aincluding a first cam 241 a_1 a engaged with the first cam structure anda second cam 241 a_1 b engaged with the third cam structure, a secondcam member 241 b including a third cam 241 b_1 a engaged with the secondcam structure and a fourth cam 241 b_1 b engaged with the fourth camstructure, a first elastic body 242 a connected to the first rotatingshaft to provide an elastic force to the first cam, a second elasticbody 242 b connected to the second rotating shaft to provide an elasticforce to the second cam, a third elastic body 242 c connected to thefirst rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to the third cam; and afourth elastic body 242 d connected to the second rotating shaft toprovide an elastic force to the fourth cam.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may further include a first fastening part 251 for fastening thefirst slide hole 211_2 formed in the first rotating part and the firstarm part and a second fastening part 252 for fastening a second slidehole 212-2 formed in the second rotating part and the second arm part,and the first fastening part may slidably move within the first slidehole in response to rotation of the first arm part, and the secondfastening part may slidably move within the second slide hole inresponse to rotation of the second arm part.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third elasticbody may be disposed between the first cam structure and the second camstructure, the fourth elastic body may be disposed between the third camstructure and the fourth cam structure, the first elastic body, thefirst cam, the first cam structure, the third elastic body, the thirdcam, and the second cam structure may be put on the first rotating shaftin this order, and the second elastic body, the second cam, the thirdcam structure, the fourth elastic body, the fourth cam, and the fourthcam structure may be put on the second rotating shaft in this order.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, cross-sections of ahole of the first cam, a hole of the second cam, a hole of the thirdcam, and a hole of the fourth cam may be formed in a circular shape, andcross-sections of a hole of the first cam structure, a hole of thesecond cam structure, a hole of the third cam structure, and a hole ofthe fourth cam structure may at least partially have a straight section.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may further include at least one of a shaft bracket put on thefirst rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft and supporting thefirst elastic body and the second elastic body, and a center bardisposed between the hinge structure and the display and supporting thedisplay while moving up and down in a direction facing or opposite tothe display in the hinge structure with an operation of the hingestructure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a separationdistance between the first axis and the second axis may be shorter thana separation distance between the third axis and the fourth axis.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the third axis andthe fourth axis may be positioned below the first axis and the secondaxis in an upward direction facing the display in the hinge structure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first rotatingpart may include a first rail rotating along the third axis, the secondrotating part may include a second rail rotating along the fourth axis,and the electronic device may further include at least one of a fixingbracket having a first guide groove corresponding to the first rail anda second guide groove corresponding to the second rail and a bracketcover covering one surface of the fixing bracket.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may further include a fifth cam structure 221-4 c fastened on thefirst rotating shaft, a sixth cam structure 222-4 c fastened on thesecond rotating shaft, and a third cam member 241 c including a fifthcam 241 c_1 a engaged with the fifth cam structure and receiving anelastic force by the first elastic body and a sixth cam 241 c_b 1engaged with the sixth cam structure and receiving an elastic force bythe second elastic body.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fifth camstructure and the sixth cam structure may be separated and fastened tothe first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, respectively.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least a portionof a cross-section of a hole of the fifth cam structure and at least aportion of a cross-section of a hole of the sixth cam structure mayinclude a straight section.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the fifth camstructure and the sixth cam structure may rotate with rotation of thefirst arm part and the second arm part.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first elasticbody may be disposed between the fifth cam structure and the first camstructure, and the second elastic body may be disposed between the sixthcam structure and the third cam structure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a first angle of apeak formed on the first cam and a second angle of a peak formed on thethird cam may be different from each other.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an angle of the peakformed on the first cam may be the same as an angle of a peak formed onthe second cam, and an angle of the peak formed on the third cam may bethe same as an angle of the peak formed on a fourth cam.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a first width of avalley formed on the first cam and a second width of a valley formed onthe third cam may be different from each other, or a first height of apeak formed on the first cam and a second height of a peak formed on thethird cam may be different from each other.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may further include a bridge connecting the first cam member andthe second cam member.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the bridge mayinclude a first portion connecting the first cam and the third cam and asecond portion connecting the second cam and the fourth cam.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a hinge structureused for a foldable electronic device may include a first rotating part211 connected to a first housing of the foldable electronic device androtating within a predetermined angular range, a second rotating part212 connected to a second housing of the foldable electronic device androtating with rotation of the first rotating part, a first arm part 221connected to the first rotating part and including a first cam structure221_4 a and a second cam structure 221_4 b spaced apart from each otherby a predetermined interval, a second arm part 222 connected to thesecond rotating part and including a third cam structure 222_4 a and afourth cam structure 222_4 b spaced apart from each other by apredetermined interval, a first rotating shaft 231 rotating about afirst axis 11 with at least a portion thereof being inserted into thefirst cam structure and the second cam structure, a second rotatingshaft 232 rotating about a second axis 12 with at least a portionthereof being inserted into the third cam structure and the fourth camstructure, a first cam member 241 a put on the first rotating shaft andincluding a first cam 241 a_1 a engaged with the first cam structure anda second cam 241 a_1 b engaged with the third cam structure, a secondcam member 241 b put on the second rotating shaft and including a thirdcam 241 b_1 a engaged with the second cam structure and a fourth cam 241b_1 b engaged with the fourth cam structure, a first elastic body 242 aconnected to the first rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to thefirst cam, a second elastic body 242 b connected to the second rotatingshaft to provide an elastic force to the second cam, a third elasticbody 242 c connected to the first rotating shaft to provide an elasticforce to the third cam, and a fourth elastic body 242 d connected to thesecond rotating shaft to provide an elastic force to the fourth cam, inwhich the first rotating part may rotate about a third axis 13 and thesecond rotating part may rotate about the fourth axis 14.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an arm body, an armstructure used for a foldable electronic device may include a first camdisposed on one side of the arm body and including a first hole intowhich at least a portion of a rotating shaft used for a foldingoperation of the foldable electronic device is inserted, a peak and avalley being formed around the first hole, a second cam arrangedside-by-side on the same axis as the one side of the arm body, spacedapart from the first cam, and including a second hole into which atleast a portion of the rotating shaft is inserted, a peak and a valleybeing formed around the second hole, and a connecting part disposed onthe other side of the arm body and fastened with a rotating part usedfor rotation of the foldable electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of thefirst cam or the second cam may include at least one peak and valley,and the peak may include a first portion having a first inclinationangle, a second portion having a second inclination angle different fromthe first inclination angle and being greater than 0 degrees, and athird portion having a third inclination angle.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an absolute value ofthe first inclination angle of the first portion may be greater than anabsolute value of the second inclination angle of the second portion.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a first curvature ofa boundary region between the first portion and the second portion maybe smaller than a second curvature of a boundary region between thesecond portion and the third portion.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an absolute value ofthe third inclination angle may be equal to or greater than the absolutevalue of the first inclination angle.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the armstructure, a height of the peak and a flat width of the peak are basedon the first inclination angle, the second inclination angle, and thethird inclination angle.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the armstructure, a height of the peak, a flat width of the peak, the firstinclination angle, the second inclination angle, and the thirdinclination angle are configured to provide a detent load of thefoldable electronic device.

Each component (e.g., module or program) according to variousembodiments may be made up of a singular or a plurality of entities, andsome of the aforementioned sub-components may be omitted, or othersub-components may be further included in various embodiments.Alternatively or additionally, some components (e.g., modules orprograms) may be integrated into one entity, performing the same orsimilar functions performed by respective corresponding componentsbefore integration. According to various embodiments, operationsperformed by a module, program, or another component may besequentially, parallelly, repeatedly, or heuristically executed, atleast some operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, orother operations may be added.

With the arm structure, the hinge structure, and the electronic deviceincluding the same according to various embodiments of the disclosure,by providing a detent load of a specified size without increasing thesize (e.g., thickness) of the electronic device or while suppressing anincrease in size (e.g., thickness), it is possible to support thefoldable electronic device such that it maintains the folded state orperform the folding operation more rigidly.

In addition, with the arm structure, the hinge structure, and theelectronic device including the same according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure, by resisting the repulsive force of the display in thefolded state by using the increased detent load, it is possible tostably support the folded state of the electronic device, even if thestiffness, reaction force, or thickness of the display increases.Accordingly, with the hinge structure and the electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible toprovide an opportunity to apply, to the electronic device, a displayhaving strong resistance to dents or wrinkles caused by externalpressure or impact.

In addition, with the arm structure, the hinge structure, and theelectronic device including the same according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure, it is possible to provide an opportunity to apply aflexible display of various materials or various shapes to a foldableelectronic device with the increase in detent load.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable electronic device comprising: ahousing including a first housing part and a second housing part; ahinge structure connected to the first housing part and the secondhousing part, wherein the hinge structure includes: a first rotatingshaft configured to rotate about a first axis; a second rotating shaftconfigured to rotate about a second axis; a first cam connected to thefirst rotating shaft; a second cam connected to the second rotatingshaft; a third cam engaged with the first cam; and a fourth cam engagedwith the second cam; and a flexible display disposed on the firsthousing part, the hinge structure, and the second housing part, whereinthe display is configured to exert a restoring force from a folded stateto an unfolded state when the housing is in an at least partially foldedstate, wherein the first cam is configured to rotate in a firstdirection and the second cam is configured to rotate in a seconddirection, the second direction being opposite with respect to the firstdirection, as the restoring force is applied to the hinge structure,wherein central portions of peaks of the first cam and the fourth camare inclined such that second sides thereof that face the seconddirection are higher than first sides thereof that face the firstdirection, and wherein central portions of peaks of the second cam andthe third cam are inclined such that second sides thereof that face thesecond direction are lower than first sides thereof that face the firstdirection.
 2. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first arm part including the first cam, and a fifth camconnected to the first rotating shaft and located to be parallel to thefirst cam; a second arm part including the second cam, and a sixth camconnected to the second rotating shaft and located to be parallel to thesecond cam; a seventh cam engaged with the fifth cam; and an eighth camengaged with the sixth cam.
 3. The foldable electronic device of claim2, wherein the fifth cam is configured to rotate in the first directionand the sixth cam is configured to rotate in the second direction as therestoring force is applied to the hinge structure.
 4. The foldableelectronic device of claim 3, wherein central portions of peaks of thefifth cam and the eighth cam are inclined such that second sides thereofthat face the second direction is higher than first sides thereof thatfaces the first direction, and wherein central portions of peaks of thesixth cam and the seventh cam are inclined such that second sidesthereof that face the second direction is lower than first sides thereofthat faces the first direction.
 5. The foldable electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a cam member including the third cam in afirst area corresponding to the first rotating shaft and the fourth camin a second area corresponding to the second rotating shaft.
 6. Thefoldable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the cam member furtherincludes: a cam body connecting the third cam and the fourth cam.
 7. Thefoldable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a first armpart, in which the first cam is disposed, and into which a portion ofthe first rotating part is connected; and a second arm part, in whichthe second cam is disposed, and into which a portion of the secondrotating part is connected.
 8. The foldable electronic device of claim7, further comprising: wherein the first rotating part is configured torotate about a third axis, and wherein the second rotating part isconfigured to rotate about a fourth axis.
 9. The foldable electronicdevice of claim 8, wherein a distance between the third axis and thefourth axis is smaller than a distance between the first axis and thesecond axis.
 10. The foldable electronic device of claim 8, furthercomprising: a first fastening part fastening the first arm part and thefirst rotating part; and a second fastening part fastening the secondarm part and the second rotating part, wherein the first rotating partis coupled to the first housing part, wherein the second rotating partis coupled to the second housing part, and wherein the first fasteningpart is configured to slide along a hole formed on one side of the firstrotating part and the second fastening part is configured to slide alonga hole formed on one side of the second rotating part while the firsthousing part and the second housing part are unfolded from the foldedstate or folded from the unfolded state.
 11. A foldable electronicdevice comprising: a housing including a first housing part and a secondhousing part; a hinge structure connected to the first housing part andthe second housing part, wherein the hinge structure 200a includes: afirst rotating shaft configured to rotate about a first axis; a firstcam connected to the first rotating shaft; and a second cam engaged withthe first cam; and a flexible display disposed on the first housingpart, the hinge structure, and the second housing part, wherein thedisplay at least partially has a restoring force from a folded state toan unfolded state when the housing is in an at least partially foldedstate, wherein the first cam is configured to rotate in a firstdirection as the restoring force is applied to the hinge structure,wherein a central portion of a peak of the first cam is inclined suchthat a second side thereof that faces a second direction that is anopposite direction to the first direction is higher than a first sidethereof that faces the first direction, and wherein a central portion ofa peak of the second cam is inclined such that a second side thereofthat faces the second direction is lower than a first side thereof thatfaces the first direction.
 12. The foldable electronic device of claim11, further comprising: an arm part including the first cam, and a thirdcam connected to the first rotating shaft and located to be parallel tothe first cam; and a fourth cam engaged with the third cam.
 13. Thefoldable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the third cam isconfigured to rotate in the first direction as the restoring force isapplied to the hinge structure.
 14. The foldable electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein a central portion of a peak of the third cam isinclined such that a second side thereof that faces the second directionis higher than a first side thereof that faces the first direction, andwherein a central portion of a peak of the fourth cam is inclined suchthat a second side thereof that faces the second direction is lower thana first side thereof that faces the first direction.
 15. The foldableelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the peak of the first camincludes, with respect to the first direction: a first part connected toone end of a valley of the first cam and having a first inclinationangle; a second part connected to the first part, having a secondinclination angle, and corresponding to the central portion of the peakof the first cam; and a third part connected to the second part andhaving a third inclination angle.
 16. The foldable electronic device ofclaim 15, wherein an absolute value of the second inclination angle issmaller than an absolute value of the first inclination angle, and anabsolute value of the second inclination angle is smaller than anabsolute value of the third inclination angle.
 17. The foldableelectronic device of claim 15, wherein an absolute value of the thirdinclination angle is equal to or larger than an absolute value of thefirst inclination angle.
 18. The foldable electronic device of claim 15,wherein the peak of the second cam includes, with respect to the seconddirection: a fourth part connected to one end of a valley of the secondcam and having a fourth inclination angle; a fifth part connected to thefourth part, having a fifth inclination angle, and corresponding to thecentral portion of the peak of the second cam; and a sixth partconnected to the fifth part and having a sixth inclination angle,wherein an absolute value of the fifth inclination angle is smaller thanan absolute value of the fourth inclination angle, and wherein anabsolute value of the fifth inclination angle is equal to or larger thanan absolute value of the sixth inclination angle.
 19. The foldableelectronic device of claim 18, wherein an absolute value of the sixthinclination angle is equal to or smaller than an absolute value of thefourth inclination angle.
 20. The foldable electronic device of claim11, further comprising: a second rotating shaft configured to rotateabout a second axis in correspondence to rotation of the second housingpart; a third cam connected to the second rotating shaft; a fourth camengaged with the third cam; a first elastic body exhibiting an elasticforce such that the first cam and the second cam contact each other; anda second elastic body exhibiting an elastic force such that the thirdcam and the fourth cam contact each other, wherein the third cam isconfigured to rotate in the second direction as the restoring force isapplied to the hinge structure, wherein a central portion of a peak ofthe third cam is inclined such that a second side thereof that faces thesecond direction is higher than a first side thereof that faces thefirst direction, and wherein a central portion of a peak of the fourthcam is inclined such that a second side thereof that faces the seconddirection is lower than a first side thereof that faces the firstdirection.